Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Attempt to repeal all right-to-work laws: Serious policy move or political stunt?


Kentucky is the only state in the federally designated "Southeast" without a right-to-work law.

However, if California Congressman Brad Sherman gets his way, not only will Kentucky never become a right-to-work state, but the 22 states currently with such a policy will lose that freedom.

Sherman has introduced legislation that would eliminate Section 14[b] of the National Labor Relations Act, which states:

(b) [Agreements requiring union membership in violation of State law] Nothing in this Act [subchapter] shall be construed as authorizing the execution or application of agreements requiring membership in a labor organization as a condition of employment in any State or Territory in which such execution or application is prohibited by State or Territorial law.
The move is being applauded by AFL-CIO chief Richard Trumka. What a shocker.

Apparently, strategy is to try and sneak this through during the upcoming lame-duck session in Congress.

This may just be a case of Sherman opportunistically currying favor with his labor-union buddies. But with the current circus in Washngton, you never know.

One thing's for sure: Kentucky lawmakers should go on the offensive and pass a right-to-work law and reap the economic benefits enjoyed by our fellow southern states.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Kentucky needs right to work laws. Thanks for posting this update on what's going on in Congress and what freedoms they are trying to take away. These are issues that are affecting the Commonwealth, and Frankfort needs to respond instead of remaining on the sidelines.

Owl said...

Kentucky is certainly not preparing itself for future competition. We are going to find ourselves in even worse shape economically if we don't allow businesses and workers to go about their own business.

nick oberg said...

very interesting