INDIANAPOLIS —
An Indiana state lawmaker has filed a “right to work” bill, reviving controversial legislation that may face an uphill battle in a busy legislative session.
State Rep. Wes Culver, R-Goshen, filed a bill Monday that would make it a criminal offense for any employer to compel union membership as a requirement for employment.
The legislation is modeled on those of other states whose “right to work” laws prohibit employers from entering into “closed shop” agreements that make union membership a requirement for all employees.
Culver said the bill isn’t “anti-union,” even though opposition to “right to work” laws has been mobilized by union leaders in states across the nation.
Culver said the bill is driven by economic concerns and he cited job growth in other states with similar legislation. “Economic growth is what we need to be about right now,” Culver said.
He also said his legislation was prompted by a concern for workers’ rights. “It’s about freedom of choice,” Culver said. “That’s part of our rights as Americans.”
The Indiana Chamber of Commerce has named “right to work” legislation as one of their top priorities when the General Assembly convenes in January. But state and national AFL-CIO officials have also declared stopping the legislation as one of their top priorities as well.
Opponents have dubbed such legislation as a “right to work for less money” bill, citing lower wages that may accompany non-union jobs.
Culver co-authored a similar bill in the 2008 session but it never made to the floor for a vote. There was strong public opposition from Democrats in both the House and Senate, as well as reluctance from some Republican leaders to push for legislation that was predicted for defeat in the then Democrat-dominated House.
Republicans now control the state House and Senate, and Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels has declared job creation as among his top legislative priorities.
But that doesn’t mean the bill will sail through, Culver acknowledged.
At a recent Indiana Chamber of Commerce event previewing legislation for the coming session, House Speaker Brian Bosma, R-Carmel, described “right to work” legislation as “Them’s fightin’ words.”
He expressed concerns that the General Assembly’s most difficult challenge, that of balancing a state budget while facing a project $1 billion windfall, could be made more difficult by contentious fights over what he called “wedge issues.”
Whether “right to work” legislation ends up that way may depend on who champions it, Bosma acknowledged: “Folks in labor say ‘right to work’ is a wedge issue, but don’t tell that to the Chamber.”
Culver said neither he nor the bill’s co-sponsor, Rep. Jerry Torr, R-Carmel, consider it a wedge issue and instead see it as part of the core issue of economic growth. “We need to do everything possible to entice industry to Indiana,” Culver said.
The issue isn’t a new one. From 1956 to 1965, Indiana had “right to work” laws that barred mandatory union membership. The state legislature repealed the law. There are currently 28 states that permit “closed” union shops, in which employers may enter into agreements with trade unions that allow union membership and dues to be a job requirement.
Maureen Hayden is statehouse bureau chief for CNHI’s Indiana newspapers. She can be reached at maureen.hayden@indianamediagroup.com.
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