Right-to-Work: A Threat to North American Wages

Right-to-Work (RTW) legislation threatens the wages and working conditions of all workers. The last issue of the Journal reviewed the origin of RTW and how it has impacted workers and unions. This issue of the Journal examines the new push to enact RTW legislation on the state and provincial level.

Oklahoma Story

Local 5 OK/AR turned out in force on Labor Day to urge a “No” vote on State Question 695. At far left is Local 5 President Ed Navarro, and Field Representative Tommy Todd, far right.

Right-to-Work supporters wanted to amend the Oklahoma Constitution to prohibit employment restrictions on the basis of membership in, affiliation with, or payments to a labor organization. Supporters sought to cripple both the representative strength and the political power of labor by abolishing union security clauses.

Slick webcasts, print, and electronic ads bombarded Oklahoma residents this summer as the state’s powerful business interests made yet another push for Right-to-Work. The Oklahoma State Chamber of Commerce used its resources to convince Oklahomans to support State Question 695. Although business outspent unions and community groups, BAC and organized labor fought back by rallying workers and engaging in a statewide public education campaign. Oklahomans defeated Right-to-Work at the polls in 1964, when Dr. Martin Luther King championed the cause of workers throughout the state.

Business supporters of the 2001 Right-to-Work initiative included:
• Wal-Mart
• The Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce
• The Daily Oklahoman (Newspaper)
• Farmers Insurance
• The Republican Party
• Manhattan Construction Company of Tulsa
• EZ Go Foods Convenience Stores
• National Association of Chain Drug Stores

Outspending by business and anti-labor groups advanced their interests this time. Despite a strong turnout of BAC members and other union members, State Question 695 passed by a narrow margin
making Oklahoma the 22nd RTW state.

Carried Over in Hawaii

Organized labor’s proud heritage in the South Pacific is under attack, with two new pieces of legislation: one to repeal collective bargaining rights for state employees, and another that would establish a Right-to-Work law applying to the private sector. House Bill 906 and accompanying Senate Bill 626 have been referred to committees, and carried over to the state legislature’s 2002 regular session.

Referred in Connecticut

Proposed Right-to-Work bill number 621 was introduced by Senator DeLuca of the state’s 32nd district during January’s Connecticut General Assembly’s session. The bill was referred to the Assembly’s Joint Committee on Labor and Public Employees.

Stopped in Colorado

An anti-worker drive to turn Colorado into a Right-to-Work state backfired in November’s elections. Worried about the impact the legislation would have on their jobs and wages, a coalition of 30 Colorado labor unions mobilized for an all-out fight. This victory was a reminder to anti-union forces that, when aroused by issues like RTW and paycheck protection, organized labor will not give up.

No Support in New Mexico

Union members in the Mountain West scored another victory in New Mexico, as a “Right-to-Work Act”—House Bill 654—introduced by Republican Donald E. Bratton, failed to garner popular support in Santa Fe.

Stomped out in New Hampshire

The New Hampshire House of Representatives soundly rejected a so-called “Right-to-Work” bill in a 240–82 roll call vote. The House Labor Committee’s 16–1 recommendation to stop the proposal was an indication that RTW would not be successful, but staff from the state AFL-CIO and members from local unions throughout the Granite State continued to check votes and mail postcards and petitions until the final vote.

Back Door in Alberta

This spring, Tony Abbott (PC-Drayton Valley-Calmar) introduced a private members bill onto the government order papers. Motion 532 urges the government “to ensure employees are not forced to join labour unions in order to secure employment in either the private or public sector.” In 1995 a private members bill led to a full government inquiry into RTW. That inquiry dismissed any idea of implementing Right-to-Work laws in Alberta. The current “back door” motion to enact RTW-type legislation is just one of many actions organized labor faces in an increasingly anti-union political climate in the Province.