13 Mar War on Workers Continues in 2012
Photo credit: Lauren Casey, The Statehouse File
On February 1, Indiana became the 23rd state—and the first manufacturing state—to institute a “right to work-for-less” law. Across the United States, these laws have depressed wages for union and non-union workers alike, and have contributed to unsafe working conditions.
And the attacks on workers and their unions that began in full force in 2011 continue with several other states attempting to follow Indiana’s lead.
In Ohio
On the same day Indiana passed the right-to-work-for-less measure, an anti-worker group calling themselves Ohioans for Workplace Freedom proposed an amendment to the state’s constitution. Attorney General Mike DeWine certified a petition for the constitutional amendment that would keep workers covered by labor contracts from having to join a union or pay dues.
However, Ohio’s Governor John Kasich has not expressed interest in making right-to-work a priority, after his similarly anti-worker Senate Bill 5 got overwhelmingly rejected last year at the polls.
In Minnesota
A right-to-work constitutional amendment has been introduced in the Republican controlled Minnesota State House. A constitutional amendment does not need approval of Democratic Governor Mark Dayton; instead, if the House and Senate approve the measure it heads to voters in the November 6 election. However, Minnesota working families have an ally in Governor Mark Dayton, who opposes right-to-work although he doesn’t have the power to veto constitutional amendments.
In Michigan
Right-to-work-for-less talk historically has never taken root in Michigan, a union stronghold where roughly 18 percent of employed workers now are represented by labor unions. However, Republicans control both chambers of the Michigan Legislature and the state’s administration with Governor Rick Snyder. Snyder calls the right-to-work debate “divisive” and says he doesn’t want legislation sent to his desk. And if Democrats unite against the measure, it would be more difficult to pass.
In Arizona
Arizona’s attack on unions goes above and beyond all of the above measures. In fact, recent media reports say that Arizona’s Republican Governor Jan Brewer’s union-busting efforts make those in Ohio and Wisconsin look harmless.
Arizona’s teachers and first responders are under full-frontal attack, as union-stripping bills that have been called “Wisconsin on steroids” are being shuttled through the legislative process at whirlwind speed. These bills would prohibit public-sector unions from negotiating pay and benefits, ban paycheck deductions for union dues, and ban compensation for union activities. It’s expected that they will pass through both chambers easily due to the anti-labor GOP majority in both. Governor Jan Brewer will undoubtedly sign them into law. A Phoenix-based right-wing pressure group, the Goldwater Institute, and the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), are behind the measures.
The Truth about Right-To-Work-For-Less
RIGHT-TO-WORK-FOR-LESS HURTS EVERYONE
Workers in states with right-to-work-for-less laws have a consistently lower quality of life than in other states—lower wages, higher poverty and infant mortality rates, less access to the health care they need and poorer education for their children.
LOWER WAGES
The average worker in a right-to-work state makes about $5,333 a year less than workers in other states ($35,500 compared with $30,167).(1) Weekly wages are $72 greater in free-bargaining states than in right to work states ($621 versus $549).(2)
FEWER PEOPLE WITH HEALTH CARE
21 percent more people lack health insurance in right to work states compared to
free-bargaining states.(3)
HIGHER POVERTY AND INFANT MORTALITY RATES
Right to work states have a poverty rate of 12.5 percent, compared with 10.2 percent in other states.(4) Moreover, the infant mortality rate is 16 percent higher in right to work states.(5)
LOWER WORKERS’ COMPENSATION BENEFITS FOR ON-THE-JOB INJURIES
Maximum weekly worker compensation benefits are $30 higher in free states ($609 versus $579 in right to work states).(6)
MORE WORKPLACE DEATHS AND INJURIES
According to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics, the rate of workplace deaths is
51 percent higher in states with right to work, where unions can’t speak up on behalf of workers.(7)