Indiana Right-to-Work Bill Signals New 'Political Storm' over Unions
GOP lawmakers in Indiana are backing a bill that would ban union contracts in the private sector that force employees to pay union dues or fees.
If the legislation passes, Indiana would be the first state in the traditional manufacturing belt with such a law, the New York Times reports. Currently, such laws are on the books in 22 states, mostly in the South and West, the story says.
Success for the bill in Indiana could help supporters gain momentum in states such as Maine, Michigan and Missouri, the story says. “Nearly a year after legislatures in Wisconsin and several other Republican-dominated states curbed the power of public sector unions,” the story says, “lawmakers are now turning their sights toward private sector unions, setting up what is sure to be another political storm.”
About 8 percent of Indiana workers in the private sector belong to unions, compared to 6.9 percent nationwide.
