Attorney General Peter F. Kilmartin today expressed his disappointment in the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Janus v. AFSCME Council 31, a labor case involving public employees paying fees to support the cost of critical representation during collective bargaining.
In January, Attorney General Kilmartin filed an amicus brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to uphold a Seventh Circuit decision protecting "fair share" provisions in public sector collective bargaining agreements.
"I am extremely disappointed in today's Supreme Court ruling. It will curtail the ability for public employees to obtain fair wages and benefits. These workers are our neighbors, our teachers, police officers and firefighters, all of whom work hard each day serving our communities and contributing to our quality of life. They have already had to endure severe cutbacks to pension plans, health coverage and other benefits, while paying more, and today's decision will further erode their ability to collectively fight for livable wages, retirement security and other important protections," said Attorney General Kilmartin.