Bringing attention to an article where two Local Union officers were quoted in opposition of Right to Work in Indiana: STEELWORKERS RECOGNIZED: Area union leaders see right-to-work as attack
Right-to-work laws, such as Indiana HB 1028, outlaw that requirement. “The result will be like telling a lawyer to represent you but not paying him for ...

The truth about Right to Work sponsors:

Minnesota: http://dailyscroogealert.blogspot.com/2011/01/since-when-does-representative.html

Indiana: http://dailyscroogealert.blogspot.com/2011/01/indiana-who-is-representative-torr.html

Michigan: http://dailyscroogealert.blogspot.com/2011/01/whose-interests-do-they-represent.html

Missouri: http://dailyscroogealert.blogspot.com/2011/01/missouri-since-when-has-senator-crowell.html

Michigan

Michigan Republicans elect Bobby Schostak chairman; Gov. Rick Snyder touts ...
MLive.com
Newly minted House Speaker Jase Bolger repeated his call to make Michigan a right-to-work state where workers cannot be compelled to join labor unions, ...

Indiana

STEELWORKERS RECOGNIZED: Area union leaders see right-to-work as attack
Right-to-work laws, such as Indiana HB 1028, outlaw that requirement. “The result will be like telling a lawyer to represent you but not paying him for ...

Letters to the editor | The News-Sentinel - Fort Wayne IN
1 thing Indiana lawmakers could do to put more Hoosiers back to work? Answer: Pass a right-to-work law. Why should Indiana become the 23rd right-to-work ...

Indiana Week in Preview
Examiner.com
The State Chamber of Commerce is expected to release a poll today showing wide support across Indiana for "right to work" legislation. Under "right to work" ...

Right-to-work would cut into apprenticeship opportunities
Indianapolis Star
The Indiana Chamber of Commerce supports legislation that would make Indiana a right-to-work state. If Indiana were made a right-to-work state, ...

Interesting to see Chamber use the worker defense
Indianapolis Star
After reading the point and counterpoint articles on the right-to-work legislation (Conversations, Jan. 23), I was struck by the language used by the ...

LETTER: King saw through the Right to Work proposals
Evansville Courier & Press
... and CEO of Associated Builders & Contractors, Inc., in support of the Right to Work legislation that has been introduced in the Indiana Legislature. ...

Daniels: Measure student growth all year long - Indiana Economic ...
The governor also reaffirmed his position that, even though Indiana's lack of a right-to-work law holds the state back, the issue isn't urgent enough to be ...

Beware of the so-called 'Right to Work' bills
Princeton Daily Clarion
The average worker in a "Right to Work" state makes $5538 a year less than workers in other states. Almost 30 percent of jobs in "Right to Work" states are ...

Gov: Measure student growth all year long
Gary Post Tribune
The governor also reaffirmed his position that, even though Indiana's lack of a right-to-work law holds the state back, the issue isn't urgent enough to be ...

SOUTHERN INDIANA — Hoosiers Deserve the 'Right-to-work'
Evening News and Tribune
1 thing Indiana lawmakers could do to put more Hoosiers back to work? Answer: Pass a right-to-work law. Why should Indiana become the 23rd right-to-work ...

Farm Bureau urges passages of HB1028
Palladium-Item
The Wayne County Farm Bureau passed a resolution last week urging passage of the Indiana Right to Work Bill (HB1028) to free workers from forced unionism ...

Chamber to Release Right-to-Work Study
Inside INdiana Business (press release)
The Indiana Chamber of Commerce is planning to release a study Monday about the potential impact of right-to-work legislation in the state. ...

McCaleb: Welcome to Illinois, unless you're a business
Northwest Herald
The 31 factors include taxes, right-to-work legislation, energy costs, infrastructure, economic incentive programs and state economic development efforts. ...

Wisconsin

Wis. unions gird for cuts from Walker
NECN
Walker has also talked about turning Wisconsin into a right to work state where labor unions can't force employees to be members or pay days as a condition ...

Blaska's Blog asks union to put on its big boy pants and teach
Isthmus Daily Page
Wisconsin will also become a right-to-work state. On the radio this morning, Fighting Ed was lamenting that Obama did not call for raising the minimum wage ...

Ohio

New Faces: Legislators settle into Ohio House, ready to get to work
Ravenna Record Courier
I would like to see Ohio become a Right to Work state.” The Summit County Three appear to be in prime positions among legislative committees to tackle some ...
See all stories on this topic »

Ohio's Public Union Fight - Ricochet.com
I've been doing intermittent research about government unions in Ohio, ... Or, is supporting anything short of Right to Work centrist go-along squishery? ...

Joe Hallett commentary: Democrats will need to learn to get along ...
Ohio needs to become a "right to work" state to break the Union leftist .... In fact, if the republicans are successful in making Ohio right to work, ...

Information You Need Series
An educational service offered to our 25000 members on behalf of the Ohio. Laborers' District Council. Series Letter 1 – “Right-to-Work” Laws and why they ...

Minnesota

Teachers, Professionalism and Excellence: Why Do Unions Resist ...
By Paul W. Bennett
States with VERY strong union movements such as Minnesota and Massachusetts are also the leading states in testing. The states, almost all of them, who limit union rights such as “Right to Work” states all have terrible scores. ...

Executive Director's report to the Board of Directors -- January ...
A constitutional amendment to make Minnesota a “Right to Work” (for less) state. Mandate a 15% cut in the state workforce. Mandate a wage freeze. ...

Missouri

Legislative Update January 21, 2011 - IBEW local 453
A companion bill to Senate Bill 1, HB 275 has been filed in the Missouri House. This new "right to work" for less bill, along with the two in the Missouri ...

Crowell bill would make Missouri right-to-work state - Topix
Crowell bill would make Missouri right-to-work state ... Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota ...

New Hampshire

The right to work, dues free, for all
Nashua Telegraph
CONCLUSION: The Legislature and governor should take the proper steps to make New Hampshire a “Right to Work” state. New Hampshire has the opportunity to ...

ALERT! New Hampshire Right to Work Hearing Scheduled | Greater ...
By editor
On Thursday February 3rd HB-274, an "Act Relative to freedom of choice on whether to join a labor union", will receive a hearing in the New Hampshire legislature. GBLC unions with members that reside in New Hampshire are urged to have a ...

“Right-to-Work” Legislation Looms as Threat to Unions in NH ...
“Right-to-Work” Legislation Looms as Threat to Unions in NH & Maine; IBEW 1837 Members Fight Back. Maine Statehouse January 29, 2011 - The collective ...

Virginia

Repeal Amendment restores balance
Richmond Times Dispatch
From proposed EPA regulations that would strangle the coal industry to efforts to weaken Right-to-Work laws with proposed "card check" legislation, ...

Minnesota: Since when does Representative Drazkowski care about what's best for workers?

Representative Steve Drazkowski has introduced Right to Work Legislation into the Minnesota legislature.

Representative Drazkowski has not only repeatedly voted against raising the minimum wage, he also voted against legislation that would allocate $4.9 million to the University of Minnesota to research the health issues of taconite workers on the Iron Range. The Iron Range has been an integral part of Minnesota’s economy, and ensuring the health of those who work there is a way of ensuring the health of our communities, altogether. Fortunately Drazkowski’s vote was in the minority, and legislation passed by a 2 – 1 margin. As of May 2010 the University of Minnesota had tested 1,200 taconite workers and 800 spouses for Mesothelioma.

He also voted against legislation that would move to penalize insurance companies that denied health benefits to Minnesotans despite having no “reasonable basis".

Ensuring a healthy work environment, standing up for family-supporting wages, and guaranteeing that Minnesotans are not denied care by their health insurance company are all areas where Representative Drazkowski has failed to stand with us. This leaves me with little confidence that his so-called “Right to Work” bill is in our best interests either.

Indiana: Who is Representative Torr fighting for?

Representative Torr is the sponsor of Right to Work Legislation in Indiana.

Who was Representative Torr fighting for four years ago when he Torr voted against legislation that would require businesses to give employees 60 days notice prior to closing or mass layoff. That same year he voted against legislation that would raise the state minimum wage to $7.50. Fortunately, Representative Torr lost those votes by a margin of 51 to 49 and 71 to 29.

Who was he fighting for three years ago he voted against legislation that would impose penalties on companies that knowingly employ undocumented workers. He lost that vote in the House of Representatives by a margin of 66 – 33.

Two years ago Representative Torr voted against legislation that required contractors and subcontractors employ 90% of their labor from within Indiana if they are to be considered for public works projects. The legislation also stipulated that these contractors should, when possible, purchase products they need for their projects (concrete, steel, etc.) from in-state companies. He lost that vote by a margin of 88 – 11.

These are just a few instances where Representative Torr voted against an overwhelming majority in the state legislature in opposition of legislation that would directly benefit Indiana’s working families.

Michigan: Whose interests do they represent?

When House Speaker Jase Bolger (R-Marshall) indicated last week that he is open to conversations about so-called “Right to Work” legislation, Michigan’s workers should wonder who it is the Representative has been speaking with, because it certainly hasn’t been us.

Bolger claims that “Right to Work” is in the best interests of Michigan’s workers, but does he want us to believe he)was he looking out for us when he voted against the Hire Michigan First Plan? Hire Michigan was a plan to give tax breaks to contractors and businesses that agree to hire residents of Michigan first for job openings here. That means jobs for us!

Someone please explain to me why Representative Bolger, a member of the MichiganWorks! Workforce Development Board and the Small Business Association of Michigan, would vote against legislation that gives preference to companies that hire residents of Michigan! Exactly what kind of work force is he trying to develop? Fortunately there were enough votes in the state House of Representatives to overrule Bolger’s.

Representative Bolger is also a member of the Kalamazoo and Marshall Area Chamber of Commerce, whose parent organization (the Michigan Chamber of Commerce) has been pushing for so-called “Right to Work” legislation. Oddly enough, Bolger has on four separate occasions voted against legislation that would require the Chamber’s members (corporations in the state of Michigan) to give full disclosure of their campaign contributions to state-level candidates. It seems Representative Bolger does have a history of looking out for others when he casts his vote in the state assembly. It’s a shame that he’s not looking out for us.

Missouri: Since when has Senator Crowell fought for jobs or democracy?

Since when has Senator Crowell fought for jobs or democracy?

State Senator Jason Crowell has been a member of the Missouri legislature since 2004, and in a short time he’s sided with the interests of business over the interest of workers a number of times.

In July of last year, Senator Crowell was one of only seven members of the State Senate to vote against legislation that would attract new businesses to Missouri by giving tax breaks to manufacturers that hire new employees in state. In fact, Senator Crowell even broke ranks with eight of his fellow Republicans who voted in support of the Manufacturing Jobs Act. Fortunately the legislation passed with a vote of 20 – 7.

In 2008 Senator Crowell, along with 18 of his fellow Senate Republicans, voted to allow unlimited contributions to candidates running for state office. Previously there was a limit of $5,000 for any contribution to a candidate’s campaign. Like you, my pockets come with a bottom. So, I’m wondering who Senator Crowell had in mind when he pushed to remove the cap on campaign contributions?

Recently Senator Crowell introduced so-called “right to work” legislation into the Senate that, according to him, will be good for Missouri’s workers. Before the legislature acts on this legislation I am hoping that the Senator will explain his vote against the Manufacturing Jobs Act, as well as his vote to allow unlimited campaign contributions. With Crowell being a member of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce, I am wondering if “Right to Work” is just another handout to big business that will hurt Missouri’s working families.

Overview articles

Governors, unions brace for battle

Union membership on the whole continued to fall in 2010, with only 11.9 percent of wage and salary workers across the country belonging to unions…..

Rand Paul kicks Big Labor when it's down
Salon
Earlier this week, he sent out sent out an e-mail asking supporters to sign a petition urging the Senate to hold a vote on the "National Right to Work Act." ...

Pennsylvania

GOP accuses Dems of blocking bills in Pa. House (Project Labor Agreements, States Store Privatization, School Vouchers)

By Tracie Mauriello, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
A series of reform bills expected to easily pass the House instead are being blocked by deft maneuvers GOP leaders say were orchestrated by Democratic obstructionists.

Ohio

JobsOhio approved by panel in House

By Jim Siegel, The Columbus Dispatch
Gov. John Kasich's plan to privatize Ohio's economic development efforts cleared another legislative hurdle yesterday despite Democrats' concerns. Read More

5 Ohio public pension funds make offer to cut benefits

By Jim Provance, Toledo Blade
Ohio's five public retirement funds came to lawmakers Wednesday with proposals to raise member contributions and cut benefits in an effort to ensure their long-term viability.

Indiana

Gov: Measure student growth all year long
Gary Post Tribune
The governor also reaffirmed his position that, even though Indiana's lack of a right-to-work law holds the state back, the issue isn't urgent enough to be ...

TORR: Right-to-work freedom would stoke Indiana's economy | 2011 ...
Question: Should right-to-work legislation be considered by the Indiana General Assembly? Answer: With our unemployment rate hovering around 10 percent, ...

The News Dispatch > News > Local > POLITICAL NOTEBOOK
Scott Pelath will be conducting an educational workshop informing the public about the Indiana Right to Work Law in the upcoming legislation. ...

COMMUNITY COMMENT: Right to Work law would boost state ...
A Right to Work law would mean that no Indiana worker could be forced to pay union dues just to get or keep a job. Currently, some 194000 workers in ...

Indiana economy moving in right direction, Indiana researchers say

By Lesley Stedman Weidenbener, The Courier-Journal (Louisville)
Indiana University researchers said Wednesday that the state's "economic winds are finally blowing in the right direction."

New Hampshire

Unions speak out on state pension reform

By Tom Fahey, The Union Leader (Manchester)
Unions offered a series of concessions Thursday as the Legislature takes up reforming the state's troubled pension plan.

Pension overhaul in works

By Shira Schoenberg, Concord Monitor
Firefighters, teachers, school boards and government administrators agree that the New Hampshire Retirement System must be reformed to make employee pensions affordable and sustainable. The $3.7 billion question is: Who is going to pay for it?

Missouri

Labor Tribune
“He said there were more jobs created in right-to-work states than in Missouri and other states in the last 10 years. But the jobs created for the most part ...

Crowell bill would make Missouri right-to-work state
Cape Girardeau Sen. Jason Crowell wants to let voters decide whether to make Missouri a "right to work" state.

Michigan

Michigan teacher tenure reform back on the table

By Peter Luke, mlive.com
The Michigan Education Association managed to block House consideration of a teacher tenure change measure in last year's lame duck session when Democrats controlled the chamber. Read More

Outsourcing services wrong move for state, cities, schools

By State Sen. Bert Johnson, Detroit Free Press
As state and municipal budgets continue to contract, elected leaders from the Governor's office and the state Legislature to city councils and school boards must be ever more vigilant in finding ways to balance their respective budgets.

Minnesota

Teacher licensing plan moves through Minn. House

By Chris Williams, The Associated Press, Brainerd Daily Dispatch
Less than a week after U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan scolded Minnesota for not having more ways for talented people to become teachers, a state House committee approved a bill aiming to do just that. Read More

Minn. House passes 1st wave of budget cuts

By Brian Bakst, The Associated Press, Brainerd Daily Dispatch
The Minnesota House ignored Gov. Mark Dayton's objections and approved $1 billion in state budget cuts Thursday that would affect aid payments for local governments, colleges and community health programs.

1st big vote on 1st wave of Minn. budget cuts

By The Associated Press, Brainerd Daily Dispatch
The Republican-led House is taking its first big vote of the year with a bill biting $1 billion off a state budget problem six times as large

Virginia

Dems propose supports for small business
Daily Press
Senate Republicans separately said they want to focus on adding Virginia's right-to-work law to the state constitution and requiring secret votes, ...

'Right to work' measure one more step away from workers ...
For some state legislators, it's not enough that the commonwealth ranks among the most business-friendly states in the country.

Worth sharing: Gary Huck and Mike Konopaki; two of the best union illustrators in America

http://www.solidarity.com/hkcartoons/huckpage.html

http://www.solidarity.com/hkcartoons/konopage.html

Minnesota

Our view: Draz right about right-to-work stance
Winona Daily News
If passed, it would spell the end of closed shops in Minnesota. Union supporters have quickly lined up against the legislation, stoking fears that this is ...

New Hampshire

The right to work, dues free, for all - Fosters
All this points to the need for New Hampshire to become a Right to Work state and open its door to potentially greater economic development and job growth. ...

Senator -- Raise retirement age of safety workers

By The Associated Press, Concord Monitor
Senate Republicans are proposing raising the retirement age for public safety workers as one of the ways to shore up New Hampshire's public pension system.

Missouri

Crowell bill would make Missouri right-to-work state
Southeast Missourian
Jason Crowell wants to let voters decide whether to make Missouri a "right to work" state. This legislative session, and for the past several years, ...

Audio: MAYER AND GREEN WEIGH IN ON RIGHT-TO-WORK - Moberly Portal
The Missouri Senate leader who's made right-to-work one of his top priorities says he's not trying to destroy labor unions. Senate President Pro Tem Rob ...

Indiana

Indiana must fight right-to-work effort :: Letters :: Post-Tribune
The poverty rate is 2.3 percent higher in right-to-work states and the infant mortality rate is 16 percent higher. Workers' compensation benefits are $30 ...

Ind. teachers voice concerns over education reform agenda

By Eric Bradner, Evansville Courier and Press
When Gov. Mitch Daniels visited with the Indiana Federation of Teachers at the Statehouse on Tuesday, a group of teachers angry with his education reform agenda saw an opportunity and pounced.

Michigan

Following Rick Snyder's lead, Mackinac Policy Conference embraces 'measurable ...
AnnArbor.com
At the heart of that agenda is making Michigan a right-to-work state. Building on Snyder's theme of "we're all in this together," Baruah said the Detroit ...

Big Labor is the Demoratic Party's ATM
Washington Examiner
This vicious cycle leaves the Democratic Party more beholden to Big Labor than voters. Mark Mix is president of the National Right to Work Committee.

Pennsylvania

GOP accuses Dems of blocking bills in Pa. House

By Tracie Mauriello, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
A series of reform bills expected to easily pass the House instead are being blocked by deft maneuvers GOP leaders say were orchestrated by Democratic obstructionists.

Pennsylvania lawmakers want to learn value of liquor stores

By The Associated Press, The Patriot-News (Harrisburg)
Pennsylvania Republican lawmakers who back the sale of the state-owned liquor store system are pursuing an independent study to determine the value of privatizing the licenses.

Hundreds voice support of 'school choice' in capital

By Tom Barnes, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Political momentum is building for taxpayer-funded school tuition vouchers, as hundreds of people clogged the Capitol rotunda Tuesday to support the idea of "school choice."

Minnesota

Minn. Senate committee approves teacher pay freeze

By Chris Williams, The Associated Press, Brainerd Daily Dispatch
Minnesota school employees would have their wages frozen under a proposal that advanced through the state Senate Education Committee on Tuesday.