Workers bracing for "right-to-work" assault

[Omaha Steve]

http://peoplesworld.org/workers-bracing-for-right-to-work-assault/

by: Tony Pecinovsky
December 6 2010

The right-wing Republican agenda is becoming more apparent as we inch closer and closer to January 2011 and the start of the new legislative session. Missouri Republicans will hold 26 of 34 state senate seats and 106 of 163 House seats giving them a veto proof majority – and the ability to set the legislative agenda.

In fact, the new Missouri Senate President Pro-term Rob Meyer (R-Dexter) said so-called "right-to-work" legislation and lowering corporate taxes would be his top priorities.

"Right-to-work" legislation would severally cripple organized labor’s ability to build and service its members. By allowing open-shops, ‘right-to-work’ would force unions to represent workers who do not pay union dues, draining union treasuries in the process.

Herb Johnson, Missouri AFL-CIO secretary-treasurer, said that "right-to-work" “won’t help Missouri, but it will drive down the standard of living.”

According to the AFL-CIO, the average worker in a "right-to-work" state makes about $5,333 less a year than workers in other states ($35,500 compared to $30,167). Additionally, union density is far lower in "right-to-work" states; 6.6 percent compared to 15.1 percent.

Supporters of "right-to-work" claim it protects workers from being forced to join a union. However, federal law already protects employees from being forced to join a union.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the rate of workplace death is 51 percent higher in states with so-called "right-to-work" legislation.


FULL story at link.

[BlueJazz]

1. Right to work for Peanuts is what it should be called.

Here In Florida, Employers love the fact that they can make you work like a dog and fire you for any reason.. "I don't like her hair"

[Rochester]

2. just what we need... more RTGF states (scowl)