Following an election that promised to bring sweeping change to the Granite State’s Right to Work status, the state legislature has wasted little time in pushing forward with Gov. Sununu’s proposed agenda.
Last week, the GOP-controlled Senate took the first steps down the Right to Work path in passing the latest anti-union bill 12-11, on nearly a party line vote.
In a statement following the vote, Donna Soucy, deputy Democratic leader of the state senate, vowed that the party was dedicated to blocking the bill.
“I’m disappointed that instead of focusing on legislation that expands opportunity and increases wages for everyone, Republicans are rushing to pass a divisive bill that makes it harder for people in New Hampshire to earn a living and support a family,” said Soucy.
With this latest development, labor leaders around the country are urging legislators in the state to do the right thing.
“Now is the time to stand firm against Right to Work and make sure it doesn’t continue to press forward,” says Richard Dalton, business manager for the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) Local 18 in Ohio. “Voters need to contact their representatives to ensure their voices are heard and their well-being is being looked after.”
In the wake of an election that returned GOP politicians to power, Gov. Sununu, son of famed Republican operative John Sununu, was a vocal supporter of Right to Work legislation and adamant that it was a key piece of his agenda.
Although he vowed to accomplish his goals with bipartisan support, early indications are that the legislation could pass with or without help from the Democrats.
“With the stakes as high as they are, labor supporters have to be diligent in fighting this latest attack” says Dalton. “Hard working men and women in New Hampshire are counting on legislators and labor leaders to stand up and fight for their future. As long as everyone continues to do their part, there’s always hope for defeating this damaging legislation.”
Right to Work laws allow individuals in certain industries to operate without paying the necessary union dues. Business aligned proponents of such laws claim that they decrease unemployment while opponents assert that the laws drive wages down and force hard working families into poverty.
Opponents of Right to Work measures claim that the laws result in decreased worker rights and ultimately damage the middle class.
For more information on Right to Work in Ohio, visit: http://protectohiosmiddleclass.org
SOURCE: Keep Ohio's Heritage
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