NLRB overreach: Hoosier right-to-work edition

Welcome to a right-to-work state

Job creators, and of course workers, received some good news yesterday in Indiana.

From the Chicago Tribune:

Indiana became the 23rd state to pass anti-union "right-to-work" legislation on Wednesday and the first in the nation's manufacturing heartland, dealing a blow to organized labor by allowing workers to opt out of paying union dues.

Indiana's Republican governor Mitch Daniels signed the legislation into law immediately after it was given final approval in the state Senate, making Indiana the first state to adopt such a measure since Oklahoma did so a decade ago.

Daniels, governor since 2005 and a prominent spokesman for Republicans nationally, said he decided Indiana needed the controversial new law after several businesses decided to locate elsewhere.

"Seven years of evidence and experience ultimately demonstrated that Indiana did need a right-to-work law to capture jobs for which, despite our highly rated business climate, we are not currently being considered," he said in a statement after signing the bill.

Meanwhile, Illinois continues to live in the past, as Americans for Tax Reforms points out.

ATR President Grover Norquist issued the following statement:

"Mitch Daniels has cemented his legacy as a pro-jobs, pro-freedom governor with today's Right to Work news. Indiana has weathered the recent economic downturn better than most of its neighbors, in large part because of the fiscal prudence of the governor and the Republican legislature. But the lasting accomplishment is Right to Work, which will ensure worker freedom and economic growth for generations.

"While Pat Quinn's Illinois continues to tax and spend itself into oblivion at the behest of union bosses, Mitch Daniels' Indiana stands as an example for the entire Midwest.

"I also commend Speaker Brian Bosma, a true leader in this fight. His advocacy on behalf of Indiana workers and businesses suggests he has a bright future in Republican politics."

Indiana Dunes State Park

NetRightDaily: A Very Bad Week for Big Labor

National Right To Work Committee: NLRB's Speed-dialed Forced Unionism

Say Anything: Union enrollment declines nationally

Big Government: Double Reverse: Scott Walker Recall Petitions Finally Posted online

LaborUnionReport: Less Than 10% Of Union-Represented Employees Ever Voted To Be Unionized

Speaking of elections, the bar is open.

SHOT:

"Harkin To Introduce Bill To Help Middle Class Including One Provision From Failed EFCA Bill":

"Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, said Feb. 1 he plans to introduce in the coming weeks a comprehensive bill to help the middle class that includes at least one element from the Employee Free Choice Act (S. 560, H.R. 1409), which died in the previous Congress. Addressing the annual legislative-political conference of the Communications Workers of America, Harkin received thunderous applause when he told delegates that he will 'continue to work to pass EFCA.'" ("Harkin To Introduce Bill To Help Middle Class Including One Provision From Failed EFCA Bill," Daily Labor Report, 2/1/2012)

CHASER:

Senator Michael Bennet Opposes EFCA:

"Rapid-fire debate questions flushed surprising answers from Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet and Republican Ken Buck tonight, with Bennet opposing a treasured union bill … After more than a year of equivocating on the Employee Free Choice Act, which would greatly ease union organizing, Bennet said: 'I would not support the language in that bill.'" (Michael Booth, "Surprising Responses In Rat-Attack-Tat Debate Between Bennet, Buck," The Denver Post, 10/11/10)

Senator Joe Manchin Opposes EFCA:

"Manchin said he does not support removing the secret ballot provision for workers, and that government has no place in dictating labor contracts. Manchin called the secret ballot vote 'the most precious thing you own.' 'I've said publicly that ... we must retain the secrecy of the ballot. It’s your vote, and only you should have knowledge of how you do that,' he said. Another provision of the proposed card check law calls for a government arbitrator to resolve contractual disputes between a company and a union. 'My response to that is that the government has no right to be involved in contractual disputes between an organizing body and the company they are working with,' Manchin commented. 'That's why you have collective bargaining. You sit down and bargain. 'Once you ratify and certify that you recognize the bargaining, then you sit down and work your contract out. Government should not be involved.'" (Joselyn King, "Manchin Distances Self From Obama," Wheeling News-Register, 10/9/10)

Harkin, in my opinion, is a lapdog for the unions.

Technorati tags: Harkin iowa senate unions news organized labor card check politics Democrats gop Republican unions organized labor jobs economy law legal business nlrb