Washington, June 30 (RHC)-- The U.S. Supreme Court has dealt a major blow to organized labor.  In a 5-4 ruling written by Justice Samuel Alito, the court sided with Mark Janus, a child support specialist who argued that a state law in Illinois allowing unions to charge a fee for collective bargaining violated his First Amendment rights. 

The ruling nullifies so-called fair-share provisions and will leave public-sector unions deprived of millions of dollars in union dues.  Mark Janus was supported by a host of right-wing groups including the Koch brothers’ Americans for Prosperity and ALEC—the American Legislative Exchange Council. 

In a statement, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees -- AFSCME -- wrote: “It is shameful that the billionaire CEOs and corporate special interests behind this case have succeeded in manipulating the highest court in the land to do their bidding.  This case was nothing more than a blatant political attack to further rig our economy and democracy against everyday Americans in favor of the wealthy and powerful.”