In the most important decision relating to unions in decades, the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 against unions. Given the ideological bent of the court, this was expected.

Here is the complete 83 page PDF of the Supreme Court ruling.

Here are the relevant articles:

Excellent summary of the SCOTUS decision from the New York Times

Some analysis from the New York Times

And yet more analysis from the New York Times, explaining how this ruling may ultimately empower workers and help unions.

Video from CNN

Article from the Washington Post

NBC 30 has a story on the ruling

Here is a statement from Randi Weingarten, President of AFT…

Today the Supreme Court issued a 5-4 decision in Janus v. AFSCME that overruled 41 years of precedent and found that fair share fees violate the First Amendment. The decision is effective today.

While deeply disappointed, we are not surprised that this five-member Supreme Court majority has done the bidding of right-wing corporations and billionaires to undermine workers’ rights and defund unions. As Justice Kagan said in her dissent:

There is no sugarcoating today’s opinion. The majority overthrows a decision entrenched in this Nation’s law—and in its economic life—for over 40 years. As a result, it prevents the American people, acting through their state and local officials, from making important choices about workplace governance. And it does so by weaponizing the First Amendment, in a way that unleashes judges, now and in the future, to intervene in economic and regulatory policy.

It’s been a big day, but the response that we’ve had from members is so encouraging. I’m so proud of the work we’ve all been doing. I’ve said it over and over today, and I’ll say it again here—don’t count us out.

-Randi Weingarten

AFT President

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