The Supreme Court’s decision in Janus v. American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees is a major victory for millions of public-sector workers. The Supreme Court ruled that these employees cannot be forced to make payments to unions with which they do not wish to associate. As Justice Samuel Alito explained in his opinion, “This arrangement violates the free speech rights of nonmembers by compelling them to subsidize private speech on matters of substantial public concern.”

Workers like Mark Janus, who bravely withstood heated attacks from Big Labor as he took his case all the way to the Supreme Court, will receive more take-home pay. Money will not be taken from their earnings and sent to unions that may advance political interests contrary to theirs. Janus and his counterparts across the country will be able to decide for themselves whether to join a union and which political causes to support with their hard-earned dollars.