Janus v. AFSCME and “Weaponizing the First Amendment”
Michael J. Yelnosky, dean of the RWU School of Law and professor of law: On June 27, the U.S. Supreme Court announced its 5-4 decision in Janus v. AFSCME. The majority held that the First Amendment prohibited the enforcement of ubiquitous provisions in collective bargaining agreements between public sector labor unions and government employers requiring all employees represented by the union to pay their share of the costs the union incurs when bargaining with the employer on their behalf. In doing…