Right To Work: When Anti-Labor Forces Speak with a Unified Voice

The first domino has fallen.

The Republican wave that crashed over the country in November left the GOP in control of 69% of the partisan legislative chambers in the nation (68 out of 98) and 31 out of 50 governorships. Republicans are feeling emboldened, and in more places than ever, Democrats simply don't have the votes to keep anti-worker legislation from becoming law—let alone the ability to help working families with a minimum wage increase or paid sick leave.

First up for the new Republican majorities is so-called "right to work" legislation, designed to weaken unions and silence the voices of workers across the country. According to the Washington Post, "right to work" bills have already been filed in nine states: Wisconsin, New Mexico, New Hampshire, Ohio, Colorado, Kentucky, Montana, Pennsylvania and Missouri.

"Right to work" has nothing to do with guaranteeing families a good job. It's a clever name that sounds great to the public. But make no mistake. What this legislation—already on the books in 24 states—guarantees is the right to work for less.

So-called right to work laws weaken unions' ability to bargain collectively, to enforce CBAs and to advocate for working families. Workplace protections are stripped. Wages are lower.

And just this past week (on January 28), the Business and Employment Committee of the New Mexico House of Representatives moved approved that state's right to work bill. After wresting control of the House for the first time in 60 years, Republicans took less than a month to move anti-worker legislation. Governor Susana Martinez has said she supports the bill as well.

Luckily, the New Mexico State Senate is still controlled by Democrats, which guarantees an uphill fight for anti-worker forces. But as I said, this is the first domino. In other places, we won't be so lucky.

The corporate interests who push "Right to Work" legislation are no dummies. They are afraid of a unified pro-worker voice, so they'll use every trick in the book—especially campaign contributions—to weaken the Labor movement.

The only way we beat back these attacks on workers' rights is with a unified voice that stands up for fairness, for a living wage and for a strong middle class. And that voice can-and should-be organized labor.

In Solidarity,

Ken

Ken Green photo