Release #: 18.15
June 27, 2018

Statement on the Supreme Court’s Janus vs. AFSCME, Council 31 Decision

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Capt. Tim Canoll, president of the Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA), issued the following statement today after the United States Supreme Court issued a ruling in the Janus vs. American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Council 31 case:

“Today’s Supreme Court decision, Janus vs. AFSCME, Council 31, is just the latest in a long series of attacks against unions by those who desire to undermine workers’ wages, benefits, and bargaining power. As the world’s largest pilot union, ALPA has not been immune to attempts to diminish our unity. For decades, workers have been fighting back against efforts to silence our collective voice, and today, we are more unified than ever.

“Throughout the years, one fact remains true for North American workers—the unshakable power of unionism. Unity lies behind our every accomplishment. And together, we’ve accomplished a lot. The unified labor movement built the middle class, and unity remains the key to its survival. Unity also holds the key to prevailing over future challenges—and we will not break.

“ALPA stands alongside our brothers and sisters in the public-sector union movement most directly affected by today’s ruling, because we know that this assault against unions will continue across all sectors, including our own. Their fight is our fight, and it is a fight we must and will win. We will continue to work with elected officials to protect workers’ rights and ensure that the value of unions is never forgotten. Unions remind us that the economy exists for people, not the other way around, and remain the link between free markets and democratic rights.”

Founded in 1931, ALPA is the largest airline pilot union in the world and represents over 60,000 pilots at 34 U.S. and Canadian airlines. Visit the ALPA website at alpa.org or follow us on Twitter @WeAreALPA.

-###-

CONTACT: ALPA Media, 703-481-4440 or Media@alpa.org