Jayapal Responds to Janus v. AFSCME Council 31 Ruling

Statement

Today, Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal released the following statement in response to the Supreme Court Janus v. AFSCME Council 31 ruling:

"The Supreme Court's conservative majority has dealt a major blow to workers and working families all across the country. This decision will undermine our freedoms and rig our democracy and the economy even more in favor of the top one percent. This case was nothing but a political attack on workers underwritten by large corporations.

"I stand with labor unions like AFSCME in opposing corporate efforts to drag working people to the bottom. Unions make our country strong. Union members are our country's teachers, ironworkers, nurses, government workers, bricklayers, firefighters and machinists. They are the backbone of the middle class. This decision is a disgrace and a slap in the face to the union legacy that has helped our country grow.

"We need to be working to make it easier--not harder--for workers to join unions and to collectively bargain for fair wages, safe working conditions and health care.

"I want to say thank you to my labor brothers and sisters who have been fighting for working Americans--winning worker safety protections, sick leave, the 40 hour workweek and weekends--throughout our country's history. It is not hyperbole when I say that we would not be where we are without unions. Instead of trying to tear them apart, we must allow workers to organize, as well as educate and engage a new generation of union workers and leaders.

"I intend to do everything possible to continue to fight for the right of workers to organize, stand together and negotiate for better working conditions, and serve as a strong check on the increasing stranglehold of unchecked corporate power."

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