Union decision is a blow to working families

Last week, the Supreme Court of the United States, by a 5-4 vote, ruled on Janus v. AFSCME, against workers' rights in favor of corporate interests. This decision imprudently undercuts public sector unions across the nation, making it more difficult for workers to come together and demand a fair working environment and a living wage. The decision allows public employees to be part of a union, and benefit from collective bargaining, without paying dues. This decision by the Supreme Court overturns 40 years of precedent. It will destabilize unions and undercut their effectiveness, which has been responsible for dramatic improvements in working conditions and growth of the middle class, even as other forces have systematically stratified our society. In the long run, this weakens the unions' ability to represent their members' interests and provide a quality working environment, a living wage, benefits and health care. The effort to undermine unions is headed by wealthy corporate billionaires and right-wing politicians who have pumped millions of dollars into rolling back workers' rights.

Unions are an essential part of this country's and Alaska's economic well-being. When union membership decreases, so does the income level of the middle-class, for union members and non-union members. Unions give workers a voice in the quality of their working environment. Unions help economies weather recessions, as the one Alaska faces now. We should treasure the stability unions bring to our economy and foster their work building a more vibrant middle-class. Instead, we are witness to the slow dismantling of this important American system.

In her dissent, Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan wrote, "(this decision) prevents the American people, acting through their state and local officials, from making important choices about workplace governance. And it does so by weaponizing the First Amendment, in a way that unleashes judges, now and in the future, to intervene in economic and regulatory policy." The Janus decision screams unwanted big government interference in our daily lives.

[Alaska unions defiant in wake of punishing Supreme Court decision]

Today, thousands of Alaska union members are in a precarious spot because of this unnecessary lawsuit and unfair decision. Their salaries, health care benefits and overall working conditions could all be at risk. This affects the police officers and firefighters who put their life on the line daily and the educators who teach our children. We owe these Alaskans more.

Income inequality in this nation is expanding. Where Alaska once had the greatest income equality in the nation, thanks in large part to the PFD and our high rate of union membership, we have seen that slide in recent years in part due to regressive state policies favoring the wealthy.

If we continue down this path, Alaska will see its ladders to the middle class knocked down. For the past few years, Alaska has been in a recession. The dramatic drop in oil prices and the continued decline of oil production was the major contributor. To balance the budget, we saw the governor and the Legislature significantly reduce your permanent fund dividend. The PFD was a boost for Alaskan families, bringing 15,000 to 20,0000 people out of poverty annually.

The Janus decision has essentially implemented "right-to-work" policies throughout the nation for the public sector. While "right-to-work" is a clever moniker, it does not open and expand access to good jobs and careers. In reality, it should be called "right to work for less," because studies show that states with this law have lower wages, worse retirement security, worse health care and worse educational systems.

Many Alaskans and Americans lament the decades-long decline of the middle class – with health care costs soaring, pensions disappearing and stagnant wages for the middle class, while the top 1 percent have seen their wealth explode. It is no coincidence that this decline has nearly exactly mirrored the huge declines in union membership. This Court decision is another blow to working for American families and that is who we, as lawmakers, need to represent. Not wealthy billionaires and huge multinational corporations that hold the vast majority of economic power.

We all must work towards a better and a more vibrant middle-class. The decision by the Supreme Court and is an unfortunate blow to middle-class Americans and Alaskans alike. When unions are strong, there is greater economic opportunity for everyone. But we cannot give up. It is time for all of us to redouble our efforts in our fight for working families.

Alaska Senate Minority Leader Berta Gardner (D-Anchorage), Sen. Tom Begich (D-Anchorage), Sen. Dennis Egan (D-Juneau), Sen. Donny Olson (D-Golovin) and Sen. Bill Wielechowski (D-Anchorage) are members of the Alaska Legislature's Democratic Senate minority caucus.