‘Right to Work’ amendment advances
One amendment opponent made plain his feelings while standing outside of the committee room.
By T.W. BUDIG
ECM Capitol Reporter
With the chants of union activists ringing outside the State Capitol corridor, a Senate committee Monday, March 12, a so-called Right to Work constitutional amendment proposal passed on a 7 to 6 vote.
The proposed amendment, if approved by voters, would make it illegal to force someone to join a union or pay union dues as a condition of employment.
“I’m a big believer in ideas,” said Sen. Dave Thompson, R-Lakeville, after seeing his Freedom of Employment amendment squeak by the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee.
“We passed a big hurdle today,” Thompson said.
The Senate committee hearing attracted hundreds of union activists to the Capitol. Their chants — “Just vote ‘No’” — and others pealed outside of the committee during much the more than three hour committee hearing.
The decibels increased and fell with opening and closing of doors.
Although Thompson styled the demonstration as “what’s great about America,” other Republican senators struck sterner tones.
“I will not be intimidated by the unions,” said Sen. Dan Hall, R-Burnsville, commenting on the “disrespectful” voices outside the committee room.
Thompson styled his proposed amendment as a simple bill — about choice and freedom.
He called union dues a “job tax,” and argued that forcing someone to pay union fees for representation they do not want cut at the heart of economic freedom.
But Thompson’s interpretation of the proposed amendment was not shared by opponents who depicted it as needless, intrusive, a stealth-attack on unionism.
“This bill is intended to, and will, financially cripple unions,” said Minneapolis Police Officers Federation President Lt. John Delmonico.
Among objections by opponents to the proposed amendment is that it legalizes and encourages “free rider,” employees who benefit through union representation, wanted or not, but who would no longer have to pay for it.
For the full story, see the Thursday, March 15 print edition of the Times.
Sen. Thompson was a poor conservative radio talk show host, who now has a forum to tear down progressivism in a republican controlled legislature. These guys are attempting to turn us into Mississippi of the north. Right to work states GENERALLY have a higher unemployment rate fewer insured people,lower average salaries,poorer education standards- well you get the picture.I’ve worked in both union and non union shops, and the employer basically followed negotiated union standards. Anyone who thinks employers would voluntarily pay as much as they do along with time and one-half, paid holidays, vacation and perhaps insurance has a poor understanding of history- not to mention human nature.My father had a wonderful pension thru Central States. He was driving for a non-union shop that then organized. At the time I remember there was much weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth but within 6 years it was looking better and by retirement age my dad said it was the best thing that happened to him in his working life.In numbers there is strength- only solidarity can blunt these unprecedented anti-union attacks! By the way, where does our beloved representative and senator stand a
on this issue? Since they’re both Republicans I think I can guess.