Brief: Strong Public Employees’ Unions in New York: Better Pay, Benefits, and Working Conditions for All 

June 27, 2018.

By: Brent Kramer, David Dyssegaard Kallick, and Jonas Shaende

The Supreme Court’s ruling today about public sector unions puts a significant new barrier in front of unions around the country. Traditionally, in New York—as in many other states—everyone covered by a union contract was required to pay either dues or an “agency fee” to support the union’s work on behalf of all employees. In the Janus decision, the Supreme Court ruled that public-sector employees can’t be compelled to pay for the union’s work, even though they benefit from it. Unions will still be expected to defend and represent them. However, if public sector workers discontinue their membership, it will damage their unions’ ability to work against the erosion of job security and deterioration of working conditions. Despite what may seem like an attractive short-term gain from “free-riding,” it makes good long-term economic sense for public employees to stay in their union and pay the dues that support its work.

Here is the link to the full brief.

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June 27, 2018.

By: Brent Kramer, David Dyssegaard Kallick, and Jonas Shaende

The Supreme Court’s ruling today about public sector unions puts a significant new barrier in front of unions around the country. Traditionally, in New York—as in many other states—everyone covered by a union contract was required to pay either dues or an “agency fee” to support the union’s work on behalf of all employees. In the Janus decision, the Supreme Court ruled that public-sector employees can’t be compelled to pay for the union’s work, even though they benefit from it. Unions will still be expected to defend and represent them. However, if public sector workers discontinue their membership, it will damage their unions’ ability to work against the erosion of job security and deterioration of working conditions. Despite what may seem like an attractive short-term gain from “free-riding,” it makes good long-term economic sense for public employees to stay in their union and pay the dues that support its work.

Here is the link to the full brief.

Share on Social Media!