Should unions have the right to demand that their employees pay "agency fees", despite the fact that said employees may not agree with the political direction of their employers? Is it right to demand the financial support of a group of citizens, in exchange for steady work?
A recent editorial piece written in the Washington Times examines a case brought before the Supreme Court this month, Janus v. AFSCME, which scrutinized the above argument against the US Constitution - more specifically, against the First Amendment.
The plaintiff in the case, Mark Janus, is a social worker in the State of Illinois, who does not believe he should be required to contribute monetarily to the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, which he believes, in turn, dedicates a portion of those funds toward lobbyist slush funds with political agendas.
To the outside observer, it would either seem that Mr. Janus is being unnecessarily stubborn, or that he has a very good point.
The authors of the editorial at the Washington Times favor the opinion of Mr. Janus, which would uphold his First Amendment right to express his opinion, and his right to petition the government for a redress of grievances. They believe that the justices involved in the case should place more value on what they view to be support of the United States Constitution, than they seemed to place on preserving the coffers of workers' unions.
The audience intended to read this piece appears twofold. Though it is written as if to stir the support and awareness of the common person, it also aims to grasp the attention of anyone of influence, specifically politically, in the United States. The worm on the hook is an appeal to the moral righteousness of man, that there should, no matter how convoluted society may become, still exist the preservation of the adherence to values above what money can define.
I agree with the authors of this piece. To present a citizen of a supposed free country with the choice of retaining their employment, or upholding their personal ideals of right and wrong, will not create the sort of strong workforce this country needs to continue to prosper. For employees to put their best into their work, at the very least, they must feel respected as a human being, up to and including their potential to stand up for their differing opinions. Removing that right comes dangerously close to creating a police state.
The article quotes Mr. Thomas Jefferson in saying: "To compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagation of opinions which he disbelieves is sinful and tyrannical."
Perhaps dead men do tell tales.
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/mar/6/editorial-union-dues-and-free-speech/
