New York’s government unions could lose up to $110 million a year depending on the outcome of an upcoming Supreme Court case that is fighting automatic union due deductions, according to a study released Tuesday.
Lead plaintiff Mark Janus and two other workers from Illinois are set to argue the payroll deductions violate their constitutional rights and Janus v The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees is to be heard by the nation’s highest court in February.
If the Supreme Court sides with Janus, the study by the Empire Center for Public Policy says New York unions will be hit hard.
“New York state government and New York City municipal employees who have already indicated they would rather not belong to unions would save $53 million a year in dues-like fees. Extrapolating to other levels of local government, school districts and public authorities, the immediate savings for all New York public-sector workers opting out of union membership could come to more than $110 million—and could grow from there,” the study said.
Government unions in New York collect at least $862 million in dues and fees from more than 1 million employees.
Aside from losing money, the report says it will diminish the power unions hold over public policy.
New York’s unions have been lobbying the state Legislature to pass laws to thwart a possible pro-plaintiff Janus ruling by making it harder for employees to tear up their union cards and stop paying dues.
Governor Andrew Cuomo indicated in his 2018 State of the State address he is ready to side with the unions.