July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Oppose right-to-work legislation
Letters to the Editor
To the editor:
The 2012 Indiana legislative session will begin soon and on the agenda is the “right to work” bill (RTW).
RTW is misleadingly named, as it has nothing to do with the right to work. In short, it allows people in union workplaces without paying dues, but still receiving all the benefits negotiated for them and representation by the union.
The argument that workers should be able to work in union shops and not be forced to join a union is already federal law. They are only required to pay their fair share of the union’s cost to represent them.
Proponents of RTW say it will create jobs, but there is no job creation language in the bill.
Currently, Indiana’s unemployment rate is lower than eight RTW states and even with two others. Nevada, a RTW state, has the highest unemployment rate in the country. Department of Labor figures from 2009 show that 15 of 22 RTW states had lower worker weekly earnings than Indiana workers.
If you are asking how this hurts unions, if you had a business and had to provide goods and services to anyone that wanted them but it was optional for them to pay, how long could you survive?
Workers did not create this economic mess and trying to destroy organizations that stand up for workers’ rights won’t help it.
If Daylight Saving Time and corporate tax cuts aren’t creating jobs, how would making Indiana a right to work state create jobs?
Statistics do show that RTW lowers workers’ wages and benefits whether they are represented by a union or not.
I urge everyone to oppose this bill and contact their state representatives and ask them to also oppose it.
Larry Detro Jr.
Winchester
Benefit thanks
To the editor:
I would like to express my thanks and gratitude to everyone who made possible, contributed, donated and came to my benefit on Oct. 8. I wish I could name you all, but there are so many wonderful people who gave their time, donations and hard work. I want you to know your kindness will not be forgotten.
It warms my heart to know there are so many people who care. Knowing there are so many behind me makes this experience easier to bear.
I give my thanks and well wishes. May the holidays be bright and joyful for everyone involved.
Thank you again.
Carrie Kelley
Portland[[In-content Ad]]
The 2012 Indiana legislative session will begin soon and on the agenda is the “right to work” bill (RTW).
RTW is misleadingly named, as it has nothing to do with the right to work. In short, it allows people in union workplaces without paying dues, but still receiving all the benefits negotiated for them and representation by the union.
The argument that workers should be able to work in union shops and not be forced to join a union is already federal law. They are only required to pay their fair share of the union’s cost to represent them.
Proponents of RTW say it will create jobs, but there is no job creation language in the bill.
Currently, Indiana’s unemployment rate is lower than eight RTW states and even with two others. Nevada, a RTW state, has the highest unemployment rate in the country. Department of Labor figures from 2009 show that 15 of 22 RTW states had lower worker weekly earnings than Indiana workers.
If you are asking how this hurts unions, if you had a business and had to provide goods and services to anyone that wanted them but it was optional for them to pay, how long could you survive?
Workers did not create this economic mess and trying to destroy organizations that stand up for workers’ rights won’t help it.
If Daylight Saving Time and corporate tax cuts aren’t creating jobs, how would making Indiana a right to work state create jobs?
Statistics do show that RTW lowers workers’ wages and benefits whether they are represented by a union or not.
I urge everyone to oppose this bill and contact their state representatives and ask them to also oppose it.
Larry Detro Jr.
Winchester
Benefit thanks
To the editor:
I would like to express my thanks and gratitude to everyone who made possible, contributed, donated and came to my benefit on Oct. 8. I wish I could name you all, but there are so many wonderful people who gave their time, donations and hard work. I want you to know your kindness will not be forgotten.
It warms my heart to know there are so many people who care. Knowing there are so many behind me makes this experience easier to bear.
I give my thanks and well wishes. May the holidays be bright and joyful for everyone involved.
Thank you again.
Carrie Kelley
Portland[[In-content Ad]]
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