Statement of New York State AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento on actions taken by Governor Cuomo to further protect the rights of working people

Albany – “Today Governor Cuomo announced the state Department of Labor has issued guidelines for public employers in the wake of the recent Janus decision issued by the U.S. Supreme Court.

The guidelines clarify that New York law does not require current union members to take any further action or sign new union cards in order to maintain their union membership and benefit rights. It also clarifies that unions are not required to provide any documentation on behalf of those members in order to maintain the services they provide.

The guidelines are necessary as some outside groups created and funded by right-wing ideologues along with some legal entities with alternative political agendas, have tried to create confusion among public employers by advocating for changes in the recognition of union membership and the way union members in the public sector pay their dues.

As we have said all along, the Janus decision is nothing more than a thinly veiled attempt to silence the voice of working men and women and their unions.  It will not work.

All public employers have a responsibility to honor the law and the rights of their employees and continue their legal obligation to deduct the appropriate dues from all current union members and remit those dues on a timely basis as required by law.

By issuing guidance and clarification through the Department of Labor, Governor Cuomo has  once again shown his unwavering commitment to stand up for all working men and women while recognizing the value of the organized labor movement. I thank Governor Cuomo for his continued support and national leadership on this issue.

We thank the Department of Labor for its thorough knowledge of the law which will ensure workers’ rights will be protected in New York State.

The Labor Movement in New York State will remain strong and vibrant. We will emerge from this attack more determined than ever before to protect and enhance the lives and well-being of working men and women.”