Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement yesterday condemning the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Janus v. AFSCME Council 31:

“The Supreme Court decision today attacks the basic freedoms of working people to organize and secure a better life for their families. American workers are more productive than ever – but the excessive power of greedy corporate interests prevents families from getting ahead.

“Through labor unions, working people have a collective voice fighting for good wages, better health care, and security for retirement. The Supreme Court’s disgraceful decision today will further rig the system for billionaires and against teachers, firefighters, nurses and other vital public-sector workers.

“No one has benefited more from union jobs than people of color – especially women of color. African American women in unions earn, on average, $21.90 an hour – while their non-unionized counterparts earn only $17.04 an hour.

“Make no mistake, this decision is one of the most significant labor rollbacks we’ve seen in decades. And it will have a disproportionate impact on communities of color, who rely on unions to advocate for them.

“This terrible ruling will be felt in the pocketbooks and paychecks of public service workers across America.”