Supreme Court Anti-Union Decision a Snub to Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

Supreme Court Anti-Union Decision a Snub to Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

WASHINGTON—The AAPI Victory Fund is disappointed in today’s U.S. Supreme Court decision, Janus v. AFSCME. In this case, the Court ruled 5-4 that public-sector unions may not collect fees from non-union workers who benefit from union-negotiated contracts. This decision is a direct attack on unions and the workers that they represent, many of whom are Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs). According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 8.9% of AAPIs are members of a union, and that union members have higher weekly earnings than non-union employees. Union membership also reduces the pay gap that women face in the workforce. “The Court’s decision weakens the power of collective bargaining which unions use to better living wages and safer working conditions,” said Shekar Narasimhan, Chair of AAPI Victory Fund. “This decision was also meant to cripple the political power of unions, many of whom support progressive candidates that work for the people, rather than large corporations. However, the AAPI Victory Fund is even more committed to fight back against any attempts to divide and weaken us.” The AAPI Victory Fund stands with our union brothers and sisters and will continue to work to elect progressive, pro-union candidates that will fight back against regressive policies. 

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