ANCHORAGE, AK--- The United States Supreme Court issued their ruling today against working people and in favor of billionaire CEOs and corporate interests in Janus v. AFSCME, and Local 71 is paying attention in Alaska.
The official notice of the AFSCME outlined the following response:
As millions of American workers recommit to their unions and launch new organizing drives and as support for labor unions has risen to its highest level in years, it is shameful that the billionaire CEOs and corporate special interests behind this case have succeeded in manipulating the highest court in the land to do their bidding. This case was nothing more than a blatant political attack to further rig our economy and democracy against everyday Americans in favor of the wealthy and powerful.
Public service workers—teachers, social workers, firefighters, 911 operators—are more determined than ever to stick together in their unions. Unions remain the most effective vehicle for the power in numbers working people need to secure their rights and freedoms, and provide a pathway to the middle class. We will remain a strong and vibrant force for working people, and will continue fighting to sustain our families, improve our workplaces and to make our communities stronger regardless of the court’s ruling.
Today’s decision sends our economy in the wrong direction. But it is also a rallying point. We call on elected leaders and candidates to do everything in their power to make it easier to unite in unions and build more power for all working people.
“Regardless of the Supreme Court ruling, the workers in Alaska will stick together to make sure we have a say in the future and our jobs.” -Dennis Moen
Members of the Public Employees Local 71: Labor, Trades, & Crafts voted just last week to ratify a newly negotiated employment contract with the State of Alaska which included provisions for access to our members, and their Representation.
###
*In posting this notice, Jordan Adams, Assistant Business Manager, notes:
The ongoing attack of unions has won a battle with Janus v. AFSCME allowing individuals the ability to become free riders on our contact, barging rights and benefits that each member contributes to. There is a goal to break unions so that the collective voice is silenced, but here in Alaska we are stronger than a petty attempt to break us. We have strong beliefs, support our families, enjoy our freedoms, and will continue to fight so we will have a voice in this changing environment.
I’m proud to stand alongside my brothers and sisters to uphold a centuries long fight for better working conditions.
Honor, respect, and solidarity,
-Jordan Adams
