Supreme Court's Janus ruling could undercut private sector unions too

A Supreme Court ruling last month that said public sector workers can't be forced to pay fees to unions they don't want to join could squeeze overall union revenue, limiting organized labor's ability to champion a variety of progressive causes that affect private sector workplaces as well, some labor experts say.

Unions, and organizations funded by them, have driven a flurry of state and local legislation in recent years that has mandated minimum wage increases, paid sick time, parental leave and predictable scheduling for shift workers. Chicago instituted paid sick leave laws and is raising its minimum wage to $13 an hour in part because of union-funded campaigns.

Lisa Vickery, an attorney at Fisher Phillips who represents management in labor cases, believes a hit to union coffers could dampen those initiatives.

"I don't think we can underestimate the role that unions play in legislation, particularly in pushing ballot initiatives," Vickery said. "We are going to see a decrease in this political activity."

Money that unions funnel toward Democratic candidates