Pascrell Denounces Janus Decision

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09) condemned the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Janus v. AFSCME Council 31 which imposes so-called right-to-work on public sector unions.

“This decision, part of corporate interests’ decades-long war to destroy organized labor, was delivered courtesy of a stolen Supreme Court seat and a presidential campaign built on lies. Donald Trump campaigned that the system against American workers is rigged. Unions create fair treatment for American workers and higher wages for their families. Now his Supreme Court has worsened prospects for workers in service to radical ideological and political power.

“A recent study from the National Bureau of Economic Research found that anti-union, so-called ‘right-to-work’ legislation passed at the state level has long been aimed at buoying Republicans and attacking Democrats. So there can be no mistaking it: this decision is about politics, not workers; about servitude, not freedom. The period of greatest economic prosperity and equality of opportunity in American history was paved by the hands of organized laborers. The modern middle class emerged from the steady protections of unions. Despite this political decision, unions and the right to collective bargaining will remain cornerstones of American life, and will lead to the rebuilding of the middle class.”