What the "right to work" battle at the Statehouse is all about – Indianapolis Star
Labor wars have shattered the Indiana General Assembly’s fragile decorum for a second straight year. With the divisive “right to work” bill, lawmakers and their supporters have launched an epic fight to protect their interests. Republicans say it’s about making Indiana business-friendly to attract jobs and have fast-tracked the issue. Democrats say guarding unions and wages are key and have stalled House actions. In the end, the legislative gamesmanship has real consequences for Hoosiers. Here’s what you need to know about the issue:
What is the bill?
Under House Bill 1001 and Senate Bill 269, companies and labor unions could no longer negotiate a contract that requires nonmembers to pay fees. Violators could face a misdemeanor, and lawsuits could be filed against companies for real or “threatened” violations. Currently in Indiana, unions can negotiate a collective-bargaining agreement that requires nonmembers to pay fees, though not all unions do.
Republicans enjoy a 60-40 majority in the House and a 37-13 majority in the Senate, leaving few recourses for Democrats. They’ve delayed the start of the session in the House for three days, knowing they don’t have the votes to stop the proposal.
Why is it called ‘right to work’?
Proponents say it’s the right to work without paying fees for representation. But detractors decry it as the right to work for less money.
Why should you care?
It depends upon your perspective. Both sides offer evidence to support their viewpoints, but here are the basic arguments:
The Indiana Chamber of Commerce and Indiana and National Right to Work committees say the legislation would put Indiana on the list of potential business sites for companies that currently won’t consider coming here. They say that would bolster economic development and create more jobs in a state hovering at 9 percent unemployment. With lower unemployment, supporters say, companies would offer higher salaries to skilled workers in a competitive market.
Unions say the legislation is intended to weaken them. Unions must represent all workers in a bargaining unit, even nonmembers, so they say the law would encourage workers not to join when they can get the benefits for free. Weakened unions, they say, would result in lower-paying jobs, higher unemployment and unsafe workplaces. Nonunion jobs also could become lower-paid positions, they say, as companies no longer would have to compete with union wages and benefits.
Bottom line: There’s no common ground.
How many people are in unions?
In 2010, about 279,000 Hoosier workers belonged to a union, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s 10.9 percent of wage and salary workers, compared with 21 percent in 1989.
Who are the players?
Gov. Mitch Daniels.
House Speaker Brian Bosma, R-Indianapolis, and Republican lawmakers.
Kevin Brinegar, president of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce.
House Minority Leader B. Patrick Bauer, D-South Bend, and Democratic lawmakers.
Senate Minority Leader Vi Simpson, D-Elletsville.
Indiana AFL-CIO President Nancy Guyott, the AFL-CIO, its member unions and some nonmember unions.
Where do they stand?
Daniels said making Indiana the 23rd “right to work” state is his top legislative priority.
Bosma wants the House to vote on the bill this week. He and other Republican lawmakers say the law would create jobs and free workers from financially supporting a union with which they might disagree.
Brinegar and the Chamber say the legislation would spur economic development.
Bauer and the Democratic caucus likely don’t have the votes to stop the legislation. They are delaying the session this year, saying they want more time for the public and lawmakers to learn about the legislation and its impact. Forums were scheduled for Saturday across the state.
Guyott and labor leaders think the legislation is a union-busting tactic that will hurt wages and working conditions.
What next?
The Senate could vote in about two weeks to approve the legislation, while the House could vote as soon as Friday if Democrats end their holdout. The law would take effect March 14.
Can it be repealed?
That’s likely only if Democrats take control of both the Indiana House and Indiana Senate, something that hasn’t occurred in decades. There is some precedent, though, since “right to work” legislation was passed in 1957, only to be repealed when Democrats gained control in 1965.
Which state was the last to adopt “right to work”?
Indiana would be the first in a decade to pass such a law, following Oklahoma in 2001. Maine, Michigan, Missouri and New Hampshire are among states that have recently considered it.