AFSCME Statement on Janus v. AFSCME Supreme Court Ruling

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

June 27, 2018

Contact: Mazie Stilwell, Communications Specialist

(515) 246-2637 | [email protected]

AFSCME STATEMENT ON JANUS V. AFSCME SUPREME COURT RULING

DES MOINES – AFSCME Council 61 President Danny Homan issued the following statement following the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Janus v. AFSCME Council 31: 

“Today, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against working people and in favor of billionaire CEOs and corporate interests in Janus v. AFSCME Council 31. This ruling makes the public sector across the U.S. ‘right to work for less.’ While Iowa has been a ‘right-to-work-for-less’ state since 1947, we stand in solidarity with our sisters and brothers from neighboring states who are bearing the brunt of these well-funded political attacks. In Missouri, Council 61 contracts do not contain fair share fee provisions, but our solidarity remains the same. This decision has absolutely nothing to do with free speech and everything to do with attempting to destroy unions – the most effective force to propel working people into the middle class.

“This ruling is not unlike the blatant assault on working Iowans being perpetuated by the Iowa GOP. Look no further than the 2018 Iowa Republican Platform, which reads, ‘We call for legislation that would eliminate all public sector unions.’ It doesn’t get much clearer than that. 

“We are more determined than ever to fight like hell to win for our members and the communities they care so much about. AFSCME members don’t do this work to get rich. They do it because it’s a calling, and for that service, they deserve respect. We are taking this resolve all the way to the ballot box in November, because these attacks will never end until those who fund them are held accountable for their relentless assaults on working families.”

The American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Council 61 represents 55,000 public employees across Iowa and Missouri, including law enforcement and correctional officers, firefighters, mental health workers, professional school staff, emergency responders, and many other workers. AFSCME Council 61 also represents home health care and child care providers in Iowa and private sector workers at Prairie Meadows, Palmer College of Chiropractic, Des Moines University, and ABM (Marshalltown).

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