Survey Says: Majority of Public Sector Union Members See Janus Ruling as ‘Positive’

It has been nearly two months to the day since the U.S. Supreme Court decided to give all public employees a voice and choice when it comes to union membership.

Prior to the ruling, awareness of the Janus v. AFSCME case was quite low. But a new survey of government union members shows post-Janus knowledge of the Supreme Court ruling is high, and many think the ruling is a positive development.

Fifty one percent [of 311 public-sector union members] say the changes are positive, but 32 percent do not and 17 percent are on the fence. When asked why they think the changes are positive, respondents offered a number of reasons, including that the ruling protects their personal rights and freedoms (37%), eliminates what they believe is an unfair labor practice (22%) and allows them to save money by not being forced to pay dues (18%).

A breakdown of respondents by age revealed those under 35 years old were more likely to say the Janus decision is positive (61 percent); those over 50 years old were more likely to say the change is not positive (41 percent).

But how will the surveyed members respond monetarily?

… 6 percent say that they have already stopped paying dues and 25 percent say they are planning to stop paying.

One-third of respondents do not intend to continue (or already stopped) paying union dues. And that does not include agency fee payers who were no longer forced to financially support a union as of June 27.

Janus has given all public sector employees real choice through workplace freedom­. And they like it.