This week, PennLive.com ran a joint editorial from Mark Janus–the storied plaintiff in the U.S. Supreme Court case Janus v. AFSCME–and Keith Williams, head of Americans for Fair Treatment (and parent organization for Free to Serve). The men explain why the court ruling halting all mandatory “fair share” fees from non-union members is so important:
A survey conducted by Lloyd Corder of Carnegie Mellon University asked hundreds of public-sector union members for their take on the Janus decision. Of those polled, 71 percent were aware of the decision and its implications. A majority – 51 percent – defied their leadership and united in support of Janus.
While union leadership and their political allies might be surprised by these results, workers like us weren’t; we’ve known for years that the rift between union executives and workers has escalated into a full-blown schism.
Meanwhile, government workers across the country have begun exercising their newly-restored rights. The survey shows 6 percent of workers have stopped paying union fees, and another 25 percent are planning to do so.
Why are unions unpopular with their own members? Here’s one example: All public school teachers in Pittsburgh are represented by a teachers’ union – but not a single classroom teacher today ever voted for this union to represent them. The union was elected, or “certified,” to represent Pittsburgh teachers 45 years ago! The same issue is prevalent across the country.
Read the entire editorial here.