Gotham Gazette

The Place for New York Policy and politics

Janus v. AFSCME

Janus v. AFSCME

  • ‘It’s Really a Race’: Supreme Court Ruling Intensifies High-Stakes Battle for Public Workers

    gov cuomo legisla

    Gov. Cuomo supports labor unions (photo via the Governor's office)


    On a recent morning, Pam Stemberg tiptoed toward an open doorway. "My job is to stalk people," she said. 

    That's not quite her job. An English professor at City College in Upper Manhattan, Stemberg chases down colleagues in her second role as a union organizer. But her union pitch hasn't emphasized pocketbook issues like wages or benefits; it’s been focused on the threat posed by a Supreme Court case called Janus v. AFSCME, which concerns whether millions of public sector workers

    ...
  • The Fallacy of Janus at The Supreme Court

    uft arthurgold feb

    photo: @UFT


    The Supreme Court of the United States will shortly rule on the Janus v. AFSCME case. Janus contends that any and all union activity is inherently political, that no one should have to contribute anything to union activity, and that we should therefore become a “right to work” nation. That’s an interesting concept.

    My union, the United Federation of Teachers, has a political fund called COPE, and I contribute. I frequently disagree with UFT candidate endorsements and decisions, but I believe it’s important to empower our union.

    ...