Posted on 03/09/2012 5:22:39 AM PST by rhema
The state Legislature should listen to the 70 percent of Minnesotans, including a majority of union members, who support the "right to work" legislation pending at the Capitol. Twenty-three states already have it. And as the public learns more, support grows stronger.
No surprise there. Right-to-work simply says you are free to join a union or not; and if you choose not to join, you cannot be forced to pay union dues. That, it seems, is just plain fair and a basic employee freedom.
Many Minnesotans are surprised it's not the law right now. They have no idea that current law gives an exclusive representation monopoly to the union in a workplace, which can legally force employees to pay up to 85 percent of union dues whether they join or not.
More than just fairness, though, if the Legislature allows voters to approve right-to-work at the polls - and better yet, also passes the proposed legislation to limit the state's over-regulation of occupations - we will re-energize labor in our state.
In fact, right-to-work is a growth opportunity for labor. In fact, it is the real future for unions. Let workers organize, freely, in the competitive marketplace of ideas, talent and effectiveness. Reduce state interference. That's not hazardous; that brings out the best in people.
Under right-to-work, collective bargaining is left untouched. Unions will, of course, still exist. And they will flourish when they add value to employees and employers, not because they've
fenced out the competition and forced membership. This will bring out the best in organized labor. It will restore the traditional role of unions we all respect and admire - adding value to workers with training and certifications, and adding value to employers and consumers by improving service and quality. Add more value than cost, and wages and profits increase too.
Not only is right-to-work fair, not only is it good for workers, not only is it healthy for unions, but it also sits at the center of our cherished values of freedom of conscience and free association in the marketplace. This most basic economic liberty is a centerpiece of a free society.
So why would anyone oppose allowing Minnesotans to vote on right-to-work? Do not believe the opponents' ghost stories. They aren't true, and their only purpose is to scare you.
Unions threaten a firestorm of protest, even though they know full well that right-to-work does not change collective bargaining.
Opponents hide behind inflammatory slogans and union-sponsored "studies," ignoring hard data from the Departments of Labor and Commerce and the Bureau of Census showing that on average unemployment is 0.8 percent lower, personal income rose 6.7 percent faster, cost-of-living adjusted compensation is $1,000 to $2,000 higher, and manufacturing GDP grew over 10 percent faster in states with right-to-work laws compared with states without it.
But what about their objection that "free riders" would unfairly reap the benefits of the union without paying to support it? The reverse is actually true. Today, employees are forced to pay regardless of whether there is any benefit to them. And those who would prefer to negotiate their own employment agreement cannot, effectively being forced to pay a non-negotiable employment tax to the union.
Ask yourself, with all the benefits of right-to-work, who stands to lose? Perhaps some politicians might just be more concerned with protecting a major funding source for their campaigns? Perhaps some union bosses might just be more concerned with protecting their own franchises? It is a fair question to ask who the real "free riders" are.
Right-to-work supporters look workers in the eye and say, we believe in YOU.
Our faith is in workers and their employers, not the employment rules and structures forced on them by big government and big unions. We believe workers freely exercising their talents and freely organizing and bargaining will produce much better results than forced union membership and dues will.
Yes, the public sees it clearly. Employee freedom is good for workers, their unions, their employers, and ultimately their customers. The Legislature should pass right-to-work and allow Minnesotans to vote on it in November.
Keith Downey, R-Edina, is a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives.
Yes, the public sees it clearly. Employee freedom is good for workers, their unions, their employers, and ultimately their customers. The Legislature should pass right-to-work and allow Minnesotans to vote on it in November.
Missouri has two bills on the "Informal Calendar." Meaning they can be called up anytime. But not sure if any Republican has the courage to do so.
Bill #SB438 Requires voter approval. Bill # SB547 does not require voter approval. Sara Steelman, candidate for US Senate (against McCaskill-one of 3/4) has encouraged the Missouri Legislature to pass RTW. Will it be called up? Time will tell, and time is running out...
The legislature (which has its first Republican majority in the state senate since 1974) could get this bill to governor Dayton, who would probably veto it. The question then is whether the legislature will pass it as a proposed constitutional amendment, over which Dayton has no veto power.
HAHA! Figured you’d say that Eric! After MN sent up Jesse Ventura, there is no innocence!
. . . unless the legislature lets the people vote on it. If Downey’s right (70 percent support for RTW), Dayton and the DFL will get spanked again by the unwashed public.
Interesting. I would think the constitutional route would be a long drawn out affair.
Without unions having the power to forcibly prevent non-union people from being hired, their next strike would just be treated as a mass resignation.
In the Peoples' Republic of Minneapolis and similar leftist bastions, yes. In St. James and Blue Earth and Madelia and [insert name of small rural community whose people aren't dependent on the dole], sanity prevails.
Only the frenzied union haranguing would be drawn out. The legislature could put the question on the 2012 ballot if it chooses to do so.
I actually liked what Jesse had to say (for the first few weeks of his administration.)
You may not recall, but Gov Ventura pushed through a sales tax rebate to residents of Minnesota when the state coffers were overflowing with cash. I think my check was about $3,000 !
Then, six months in, something happened to Jesse’s brain.
I watched the Indiana legislature in action as they passed RTW. One of the Democrat legislators jumped up and opened the chamber door so all the union protestors shouting would drown out Speaker Bosma’s orderly process. Childish. An embarrassment to unions/Democrats everywhere one would think.
I hope the TV stations covered that churlish behavior, which always helps citizens who are dispassionately weighing the alternatives to see on which side the hooligans and thugs are.
I should have stated I watched proceedings via PC stream. But perhaps some TV stations showed it. What a disgrace. To House Speaker Bosma’s credit, he never flinched, lost his cool, or yelled. He simply continued with the proceedings. Quite a colorful character.
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