WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after the U.S. Supreme Court dealt a powerful blow to workers with its decision in Janus v. AFSCME.
“When unions win, everyone wins. Wages rise and conditions and benefits improve—and not just for unionized workers, either. We saw the powerful effects of strong unions in the decades after World War II, when the middle class grew rapidly and shared in the wealth they created.
“Today’s decision is a huge blow to working America—masterminded by the privileged and powerful. Last year, the powerful few completed the theft of a Supreme Court seat. Now, as planned, they are reaping the rewards with a decision designed to cripple workers’ ability to come together to insist on a fair shake.
“But we will not, we cannot, let this ruling stand in the way of our efforts to protect workers, create jobs, and build the middle class. We must continue to fight for government of, by, and for the people—not the privileged and powerful.”