Alternative Visions - The Attack on Unions Intensifies: the JANUS Supreme Court Decision - 03.02.18

 Today’s show focuses on the pending US Supreme Court decision, Janus vs. AFSCME, which represents an escalation of the billionaire-corporate-right wing attack on unions. Dr. Rasmus welcomes guest, Joe Bryan, Vice President of Service Employees International Union (SEIU) local 1021 in California. The billionaires behind the case—from the State Policy Network to ALEC to the Koch Brothers, Bradley Foundation, Donors Trust Fund and others are noted. How the Janus case seeks to gut union representation by bankrupting the union.  Rasmus provides an overview of anti-union tactics and strategies of the past 40 years, that have already devastated union membership in the private sector, now down to only 6.5% organized. Now the attack moves to destroy them in the public sector as well, in the Janus and other pending cases.  VP Bryan explains responses being planned by his union when the Janus decision comes down, likely against the unions. Rasmus and Bryan discuss possible further direct action responses by public unions, perhaps in unity with other social movements now arising—like #MeToo, Black Lives Matter, Fight for $15, DACA and immigrant rights, and Florida students against the NRA.  Why the public unions’ response must be more than just legal or even electoral. What might be done. (For more information on Janus and union response, go to SEIU 1021’s website at SEIU1021.org)