Washington—In its first annual report to the Department of Labor since the Supreme Court’s decision in
Janus v. AFSCME, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees said it gained more than 9,000 dues-paying members and 18,600 dues-paying retirees. However, it said the total number of members and fee-paying nonmembers it represents declined by 6%, from about 1,412,ooo to 1,330,000, after the Court ruled that public-sector workers don’t have to pay fees to the unions representing them. The union said its analysts had anticipated it might lose more than 30%. “In overwhelming numbers, AFSCME members have blunted the attacks of the wealthy special interests and chosen to stick with their union,” AFSCME President Lee Saunders said in a statement March 27. “Nurses, school employees, corrections officers, emergency medical technicians and others will not forfeit their seat at the table or let their voices be silenced.” The union credits its AFSCME Strong internal-organizing campaign, launched in 2014. “Public service workers are resilient and see the value of union membership,” said Saunders. “We will not let five justices determine the future of our union.” Read more
