"Right to Work” (for less) is still moving forward!
Earlier this week, members of the Senate Commerce Committee stunned observers by voting in favor of the bill – immediately after they had publicly rejected supporters’ arguments for passing it, and made no mention of the economic reality that such a law lowers wages.
Committee members agreed with the SEA and other unions that the “Right to Work” (for less) bill would not spur economic growth – but the Committee passed the bill anyway, by a 4 to 1 vote. The House has already passed a version of the bill.
New unemployment numbers were released the same day the Committee approved the bill. Here in the Granite State, the economy is improving at a much faster rate than it is nationwide. In New Hampshire, the March unemployment rate was 5.2%, compared to a national rate of 9.2%. Two states with “Right to Work” (for less) laws have released March unemployment numbers: both Tennessee and Arizona had a 9.5% unemployment rate. (Most states will release their unemployment figures next week.)
If, as the Committee agrees, the bill will not improve New Hampshire’s economy, will not improve New Hampshire’s unemployment rate, and it will lower wages, then why should New Hampshire’s legislature pass it? The legislation is being pushed by the National RTW campaign, the same Virginia-based lobbying group that has been trying to get it passed for more than two decades. New Hampshire Labor Commissioner George Copadis testified that in his six-year tenure, not one company considering relocating here has asked him about “Right to Work” (for less).
Why is this bill a priority for our Legislature? Does our Legislature want New Hampshire to have jobs with low wages? Jobs without health insurance? Unsafe workplaces?
Do we want our state government telling private businesses how to deal with their employees? HB 474 would prohibit employers from creating strong working relationships with workers through “agency fee” provisions in their union contracts – no matter what the circumstances, no matter what the employer wants. It tells private businesses that “The Legislature knows better than you do.”
The Senate is expected to vote on HB 474 on Wednesday, April 20. Please take the time to ask your Senator to oppose this bill. Tell your Senator that this is not the direction New Hampshire should be headed in.
- Contact information is available here.
- Send your Senator an email through our on-line system here.
- More information is available here.
*This contents of this post was taken directly from a SEA bulletin.*