The Fairness Center

Protecting the Rights of Public Sector Workers in Pennsylvania

The Fairness Center is a nonprofit, public interest law firm located in Harrisburg, dedicated to a singular, vital mission: providing free legal services to public sector employees who believe their constitutional rights have been violated by a union. 🏛️ Founded on the principles of individual liberty and freedom of speech, we believe that no government worker should be forced to pay a union or support a political cause against their will. We are a voice for teachers, nurses, firefighters, and other dedicated public servants across Pennsylvania. Our legal services are provided completely free of charge to our clients, thanks to the generous support of our donors. If you are a public employee and feel that your rights to free speech, freedom of association, or due process have been infringed upon by a government union, our team of experienced attorneys is here to help you understand your options and, if necessary, to fight for you in court. 🛡️

A Focused Practice on Constitutional and Labor Law

Our legal work is highly specialized, concentrating on the intersection of labor law and the First Amendment rights of government employees. This focus allows us to provide an exceptional level of expertise in this complex and evolving area of law.

Employment and Labor Lawyers for Public Employees

We are dedicated to ensuring that the rights of individual workers are respected within the unionized public sector. We litigate landmark cases to protect and expand these fundamental freedoms.

• Protecting Free Speech: We defend the First Amendment rights of public employees, ensuring they cannot be compelled to fund or support union political speech with which they disagree. This is based on the landmark Supreme Court case, Janus v. AFSCME.
• Freedom of Association: We provide legal assistance to employees who wish to resign their union membership and stop paying dues, helping them navigate union-created obstacles and intimidation.
• Fair Representation: We advocate for workers who feel they have not been fairly represented by their union in workplace disputes or negotiations.
• Informing Workers of Their Rights: A key part of our mission is to educate public employees about their constitutional rights regarding union membership and payment obligations.

Key Legal Victories and Issues

The Fairness Center has been at the forefront of major legal battles to uphold the rights of public sector workers in Pennsylvania. Our cases have set important precedents and have freed thousands of employees from unconstitutional mandates.

• ✊ Fighting for 'Janus' Rights: We are a leading advocate for enforcing the rights established in the Janus v. AFSCME Supreme Court decision, which affirmed that public employees cannot be required to pay union fees as a condition of employment.
• 🗳️ Challenging Union Exclusivity: We have litigated cases arguing that unions should not have the power to serve as the 'exclusive representative' for all employees in a bargaining unit, including non-members.
• 🔔 Defending Religious Freedom: We stand up for employees whose religious beliefs conflict with union membership or financial support.