On Thursday, June 28, this message was e-mailed to all members with an address on file, and posted on the home page the next day.

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

As you may have already heard, the Supreme Court has this week overturned more than four decades of precedent by making fair-share fees for public sector workers unconstitutional in the Janus v. AFSCME case. Public sector workers are those employed by government entities, for example: teachers, firefighters, police officers.

The Supreme Court has overridden the ability of states to work with public sector unions in collecting "agency fees" or "fair-share fees" from non-consenting employees benefiting under contracts negotiated by unions. The decision is aimed only at public sector unions, in effect forcing them to represent non-contributing employees. There were already 28 states with what are sometimes called "Right to Work" laws. Now the entire public sector in California and across the United States is forced into "Right to Work".

Many IATSE members work for public sector employers such as universities and publicly funded theaters. So IATSE would like to gauge the depth of knowledge members have about “Right to Work” laws and their impacts on our union. Please take a few minutes to answer 16 questions in an online survey; click on this link:

MEMBER ATTITUDES ON “RIGHT TO WORK"

Your response will help IATSE answer some of the concerns and questions members have about the Janus case.

Though this case was bought and paid for by some of the wealthiest corporations in America to weaken our union, remember: no court decision can smother the desire of working people standing together in solidarity to create better lives for our families and communities. We have power when we stand together, and it is that power that can withstand attacks such as this from corporate billionaires who want to destroy unions. It is that power that allows for us to bargain a good contract that includes pay increases and other improved conditions.

That is why it is more important than ever for us to keep our union strong by standing together and looking out for one another. That is our right, our strength, and no one can take that away.

Thank you for your time.

In Solidarity,

Johnny Moreno

Business Agent, IATSE Local B18

Originally posted on the home page June 29, 2018