When Mark Janus, an Illinois state worker and the plaintiff in a pivotal right-to-work case before the U.S. Supreme Court, learned that the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) had dismissed opponents of public-sector union dues as “free riders,” he was indignant.
“Who's the real free rider here?” Janus asked in published comments that referenced the USCCB's amicus brief filed in his case, Janus v. the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.
The union is “taking my money,” said Janus, who added he spoke for “thousands” of government workers who had not joined the union and did not agree with its policies but still had their wages garnished to cover the cost of negotiating labor contracts.
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