Number
180524
Version
ORIGINAL
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. LEWIS
Title
Resolution opposing the Supreme Court’s decision in Janus v. AFSCME Council 31.
Analysis
This resolution opposes the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Janus v. AFSCME Council 31, which prevents unions from collecting contributions from nonmembers to defray the costs of collective bargaining activities. In addition, the resolution urges the U.S. Congress to consider the legacy of all union employees who fought and continue to fight for better working conditions and enact legislation to overturn this ruling.
Body
Whereas, All families should have the financial means to thrive in safe and healthy communities; and
Whereas, Working-class people who work in the city should have access to living wage jobs that will support families; and
Whereas, Over the last 40 years, while working people have become more productive, wages have remained stagnant; and
Whereas, People across the country and in Milwaukee struggle to attain a high quality of life for their families; and
Whereas, Labor unions provide people, particularly women and people of color, a powerful voice in speaking up for themselves, their families and their communities, and ensure that they are treated with dignity and respect at work; and
Whereas, Labor unions raise wage and labor standards across the economy, improving the lives of all workers (union and nonunion); and
Whereas, The labor movement has historically been a force for social progress, with high union density correlating with lower incarceration rates, greater educational investment and higher life expectancy; and
Whereas, In the Janus V. AFSCME Council 31 case, the Supreme Court decided that unions cannot collect contributions from nonmembers to defray the costs of collective-bargaining activities; and
Whereas, In this decision, the U.S. Supreme Court sided with corporations instead of working people; and
Whereas, This decision will undermine the economic stability of thousands of working people across the city; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the City opposes the Supreme Court’s decision in Janus v. AFSCME Council 31 and supports the right of working people to have strong labor unions; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the City urges the U.S. Congress to consider the legacy of all union employees who fought and continue to fight for better working conditions and enact legislation to overturn this ruling.
Drafter
LRB 171123-1
Kari B. Gipson
06/29/2018