Union-backed study finds unions aren’t attractive to workers. Eric Boehm reports:
If public sector workers were given the choice to stop paying union dues, many would do so, according to a new report from a union-backed think tank.
The Illinois Economic Policy Institute estimates that 726,000 workers would choose to stop paying dues if they had that choice, which public sector workers in many states currently do not. That could change after the U.S. Supreme Court announces a ruling—likely to come next month—in the much watched Janus v. AFSCMEcase. The plaintiff in that case, Mark Janus, has asked the court to release him from paying mandatory "fair share fees" to a union that represents him even though he has not joined it.
With the current composition of the high court, unions are bracing for a decision that would potentially cut off lucrative revenue streams. A ruling in Janus' favor could require unions to do what all other non-government entities already have to do: convince people to voluntarily support their activities.
[Eric Boehm, “Unions Could Lose 726,000 Members if Mark Janus Wins His Supreme Court Case,” Reason, May 10]
