Jul 31, 2018 2 min read

A recent op-ed (July 22) by Rep. Pam Snyder, D-Greene, is misleading on several fronts when it bemoans the so-called “dismantling” of union rights.

First, let’s be clear: the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in the Janus v. AFSCME case does not impede or discourage a public sector union’s ability to recruit members, and any suggestion otherwise is simply incorrect.

The court’s decision centered on protecting the First Amendment rights of public sector workers. Janus struck down the practice of public sector unions forcibly collecting fees from public workers who do not wish to be a member of the union. The fact is, public sector unions don’t just negotiate wages and benefits but have evolved to focusing more and more on political activities, campaign fundraising and lobbying on a wide range of legislative issues. While they certainly have the right to engage in these activities, public sector workers should also have the right to refrain from financially supporting the organization if they disagree with union leaders’ political preferences, strategies or positions on issues. Public sector unions will simply have to recruit and retain members just like the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry and any other membership association.

The op-ed goes on to tout harmful legislation that would strip workers of their right to a private ballot election when deciding whether to unionize. In a clear move to tilt the playing field in favor of organized labor at the expense of workers, the proposal would impose “card check,” wherein employees may be confronted by union organizers with a ballot card and urged to make a decision at that moment. This unacceptably risks public workers being pressured, coerced or harassed to “check the box” to unionize.

A union that is responsibly and effectively representing its members should not fear workers’ rights to private ballot elections or choosing his or her union status. The obvious question: why are the op-ed author and her organized labor allies so afraid?

Gene Barr

President, CEO

Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry