Politics & Government
NH Governor Applauds Supreme Court Right-To-Work Ruling
The Supreme Court ruled mandatory union fees for government workers are unconstitutional — a blow to Democratic-backed unions.
CONCORD, NH — New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu praised Wednesday's Supreme Court ruling supporting so-called right-to-work protections. Justices issued a 5-4 decision along party lines in favor of Mark Janus, an Illinois government worker who claimed his mandatory fees to the local American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union are unconstitutional. The ruling struck a blow to Democratic-backed unions.
Sununu issued a statement Wednesday saying he was pleased, as he supports right-to-work legislation.
"In the coming days, we will work to determine necessary next steps to ensure that New Hampshire statutes and policies are fully compliant with constitutional requirements," Sununu said.
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New Hampshire U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan, a Democrat, issued a statement calling the ruling "a victory for corporate special interests and a major blow to hard-working Americans."
Justice Samuel Alito delivered the majority opinion for the court.
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"Under Illinois law, public employees are forced to subsidize a union, even if they choose not to join and strongly object to the positions the union takes in collective bargaining and related activities," Alito wrote. "We conclude that this arrangement violates the free speech rights of nonmembers by compelling them to subsidize private speech on matters of substantial public concern."
The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees released this statement:
"Unions will always be the most effective force and vehicle to propel working people into the middle class. Despite this unprecedented and nefarious political attack – designed to further rig the rules against working people — nothing changes the fact that America needs unions now more than ever."
President Trump called the ruling a "big loss" for Democrats' fundraising abilities.
In 2017, New Hampshire lawmakers considered a right-to-work bill but it was voted down.
More:
Supreme Court rules in favor of non-union workers who are now, as an example, able to support a candidate of his or her choice without having those who control the Union deciding for them. Big loss for the coffers of the Democrats!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 27, 2018
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