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Schakowsky, Hoyer, Schneider, Krishnamoorthi Join Public Service Union Members and Leaders to Respond to Anti-Worker Janus Decision

July 2, 2018

Today, Rep. Jan Schakowsky, Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD), Rep. Brad Schneider, and Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi joined leaders and members of public service unions including AFSCME, SEIU, AFGE, the Fire Fighters, the Illinois Federation of Teachers, the Illinois Education Association and others for a round table discussion and press conference on the repercussions of the anti-worker, anti-union Supreme Court decision in Janus v. AFSCME Council 31, and the importance of the labor movement’s role in lifting up all working people. After the press conference and roundtable, the members and unions released the following statements:

Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky said: “Last week’s Janus decision at the Supreme Court took direct aim at public service workers – at the members of AFSCME Council 31 and also at firefighters, teachers, law enforcement officers, health and home care workers, letter carriers and others who serve our communities every day. But unions are strong and we’re marching forward. I was proud to host Whip Steny Hoyer in Chicago today to stand with union members and declare that we will do everything that we can to defend the freedoms and rights of working women and men to organize, have representation at work, and to speak collectively.”

“For generations, workers in America have been able to access the middle class because of the right to organize and bargain collectively,” said Whip Hoyer. “The Supreme Court’s terrible ruling last week in the Janus case overturned longstanding precedent to undermine that right for public sector employees, including teachers, first responders, and those who serve in federal, state, and local government. I am deeply disappointed by the decision, but I’m invigorated by the response from public sector unions who are not letting up and are working even harder on behalf of those they serve. Democrats will continue to stand with them to ensure that workers in our country get a fair shake. We are offering ‘A Better Deal’ to raise wages, defend workers’ rights, and expand opportunity, and I have been traveling the country on my ‘Make It In America Listening Tour’ to hear from workers and employers about opportunities we can seize on and challenges that workers face, especially in light of the Janus ruling. I was grateful to join Reps. Schakowsky, Schneider, and Krishnamoorthi as well as our brothers and sisters in labor today to discuss how we can ensure more working men and women can get ahead in today’s economy.”

“The Janus decision is an attack on the right of public sector workers to negotiate for decent pay and workplace protections,” said Congressman Brad Schneider. “Hard-working Americans who serve our communities every day, including teachers, firefighters, police officers, civil servants, will pay the price. I’ll continue to work with my colleagues to defend workers’ rights to organize and collectively negotiate for quality pay, working conditions, medical benefits, retirement benefits, and paid leave.”

“The Trump Administration has unions on their radar screen for elimination,” said AFGE District 7 National Vice-President Dorothy James. “Breaking well-established labor laws is what they’re determined to do to destroy unions. We will engage the Administration on every level to preserve workers’ choice for a union.”

"Today’s discussion was a valuable step forward in our continuing to fight alongside the labor movement for working families in the wake of the Janus decision,” said Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi. “The ability of both public and private sector workers to stand together in negotiating their wages, benefits, and working conditions has been crucial to the well-being of working families for decades and will continue to be into the future.”

“Janus was a direct attack on working people and the causes we fight for every day – protections like health care, safe workplaces, and small class sizes,” said Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT) President Dan Montgomery. “This is personal for all teachers, school staff, college faculty and staff, graduate workers, and other hardworking public employees – but even more so here in Illinois, where Governor Bruce Rauner originated this well-funded attack. But no court case will divide us or stop our movement. We value our voice. We value our union. And we will keep fighting powerfully for the future we all deserve.”

House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer is leading the effort to make sure working families can “Make It In America” he has been traveling the country on a Make It In America Listening Tour. This event was a part of his tour and he has heard directly from workers about the economic challenges and opportunities they face.