The Supreme Court’s recent decision in Janus v. American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees should be a wake-up call for Congress. Nearly two-thirds of Americans oppose the collection of mandatory union dues, including most union household members. In siding with plaintiff Mark Janus, the court freed millions of public-sector employees from compelled speech. In practical terms, the decision affirmed that government employees should not be forced to support political activity that they find offensive.
Unfortunately for them, the Janus decision only scratches the surface of labor reform. However pivotal a victory for public workers, the court’s final verdict does nothing to help private-sector union members, who are stuck with outdated labor laws that undermine workplace democracy.
