New Mexico Right to Work in 2015?

Right-To-Work-States-Map-New-Mexico

Well, at least that seems to be the Albuquerque Journal Editorial Board’s hope.

The Editorial Board’s arguments are worth a listen by any legislator who wants to advance freedom.  From the the Albuquerque Journal Editorial Board:

Make Right to Work Part of the ’15 Legislative Agenda

The issue of finally converting New Mexico to a “right-to-work” state should not be posed as a Republican vs. Democrat, employer vs. union measure when the Legislature convenes in January. Because at its core it is much more important than the rhetoric in a political echo chamber.

It’s about not forcing thousands of the state’s workers to pay dues to a group they don’t want to join (just 6.2 percent of workers in New Mexico are union members). It’s about putting New Mexico on even footing with its neighbors as it competes for businesses and jobs. It’s about moving from a government-based economy to a private-sector one.

Right to work doesn’t threaten unions; it simply forces them to compete for members rather than have captive, dues-paying members delivered to them.

By comparison, 24 states, including New Mexico’s neighbors Arizona, Texas, Nevada and Oklahoma, are right-to-work states. Nevada just landed the Tesla Motors battery factory and its 6,000 jobs.

A key to that diversification is being able to compete for employers and employees alike. And that should not be an R vs. D battle. Lawmakers should seriously consider right-to-work legislation as one piece of a broader economic reform package when they return to the Roundhouse next year.

(to read the full editorial, click here)