According to Fox News’ Judson Berger, “Wisconsin Union Battle Could Set Stage for National ‘Right to Work’ Debate.” More from Berger’s article:
The standoff in Wisconsin over the benefits and rights of public employees could for the first time in decades spur changes across the country over so-called “right-to-work” laws — or laws that prohibit unions from forcing workers to join.
Along with requiring public employees to contribute more to pensions and health care coverage, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker wants to put his state in the right-to-work column. His proposals have touched off an epic battle in Madison between pro-labor Democrats and Republicans who say they’re just trying to balance the budget.
And now that battle is spreading.
Throngs of union members and supporters gathered in Indianapolis Monday for a protest against a proposed bill in the Indiana House that would restrict collective bargaining rights and make it a misdemeanor to require any employee to join or pay dues to a union.
Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, in an interview with Fox News on Monday, directly attributed Virginia’s ease in balancing its budget to the fact that it is a right-to-work state.
“We’re a right-to-work state, so I don’t have a lot of the challenges that (Walker) has in Wisconsin,” McDonnell said. Virginia is nevertheless considering a proposal to add a right-to-work provision into the state’s constitution.
“Unlike in federal government, we’ve got to balance our budgets,” McDonnell said.