Title
In Support of Working People in the case Janus v. AFSCME Council 31
Body
WHEREAS, the United States Supreme Court is considering the case Janus v. AFSCME Council 31,which may decide whether public service workers such as nurses, teachers, police officers, and firefighters can be denied the freedom to collectively bargain as a member of a union; and
WHEREAS, the dedication and hard work of public service employees has a positive impact on the lives of every Columbus resident and contributes to the success and wellbeing of the entire city; and
WHEREAS, an unfavorable decision in this case would undermine the freedom for millions of working Americans to join together in strong unions; and
WHEREAS, the organized labor movement and union membership give people - particularly women and people of color - a powerful voice for themselves, their families, and their communities, while also ensuring that they are treated with dignity and respect at work; and
WHEREAS, workplace benefits earned through collective bargaining include the 40-hour work week, overtime pay, health and safety standards, paid leave, earned sick time, and reductions in the gender pay gap; and
WHEREAS, when working people organize and collectively bargain, they gain the power to raise wages and improve working conditions in ways that benefit individuals, their families, and entire communities; and
WHEREAS, Columbus is a stronger city when every citizen has the opportunity to earn a living wage that can support a family through their employment; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS: That this Council does hereby support the freedom of all city employees to exercise their right to a voice and dignity on the job through joining together in strong unions and urge the Supreme Court of the United States, in rendering its upcoming decision in Janus v. AFSCME Council 31, to consider the public benefit created by workers organizing.