Congressional Sponsorship of S.525 and H.R.2571 Approaches 100
Thanks largely to aggressive grass-roots activism by members of the National Right to Work Committee, the number of congressional cosponsors of the forced-dues repeal legislation (National Right to Work Act) introduced in the U.S. House and Senate early this year continues to rise.
S.525 and H.R.2571, respectively introduced early in the 2019-20 Congress by Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.), had a combined total of nearly 100 sponsors as this Newsletter went to press in early October.
These essentially identical bills would not add a single word to federal labor law.
Instead, they would simply repeal the current provisions in the federal code that authorize and promote the termination of employees for refusal to pay dues or fees to an unwanted union.
“When S.525 or H.R.2571 becomes law, private-sector employees in all 50 states will have the freedom to choose as individuals whether or not to join or bankroll a union,” explained Right to President Mark Mix.
“No employees covered by federal statutes will face job loss as a consequence of their decision to refuse to pay dues or fees to a union they would never join voluntarily.”
Mr. Mix added that there is every reason to expect a national Right to Work law would benefit employees financially in addition to protecting their personal freedom.
Four Top-Ranking States For Private-Sector Job Growth All Have Right to Work Laws
As an illustration, Mr. Mix cited U.S. Commerce Department Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) data gauging nonfarm, private-sector employment growth over the past decade.
(Unlike the payroll jobs data reported by the U.S. Labor Department, BEA jobs data include self-employment and contractual employment.)
“All of the four top-ranking states for 2008-18 private-sector employment growth, in percentage terms, are Right to Work states,” said Mr. Mix. “Meanwhile, five of the six lowest-ranking states for job growth are today and have for many decades been forced-unionism.”
(Since Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, West Virginia and Kentucky all adopted Right to Work laws between 2012 and 2017, they are excluded from this analysis.)
Overall, BEA-reported private-sector employment in Right to Work states grew by 17.2% over the past decade. That increase is a third larger than the average for forced-dues states.
“Making the private-sector Right to Work protections now in effect in 27 states nationwide would, of course, create many more opportunities in our country for investors to put their money to work on job-creating projects,” commented Mr. Mix.
“That’s why, of all the economic reforms Congress may consider in its 2019-20 session, the National Right to Work Act would surely have the strongest positive impact for jobs and incomes.”
He vowed that, throughout the rest of this year and the next, National Right to Work members would continue to encourage Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to allow hearings, debate, and roll-call votes on S.525.
Poll After Poll Shows Lopsided Public Support For Right to Work Principle
Meanwhile, pro-Right to Work House members are being encouraged to look for a chance to secure roll-call votes on H.R.2571 as an amendment to other legislation.
“Recorded votes in the Senate and House will advance the Right to Work cause,” emphasized Mr. Mix, “even if Big Labor rounds up enough pro-forced unionism and union-boss-appeasing politicians to prevent the legislation from passing either chamber of Congress.
“That’s because recorded votes will make it clear exactly which politicians support employees’ personal freedom of choice, and which are Big Labor stooges.
“And poll after poll shows nearly 80% of Americans who regularly vote in federal contests support Right to Work.”
Mr. Mix added that, even though it’s almost impossible to get them to say it publicly and explicitly, the evidence is clear that union bosses themselves know public opposition to compulsory unionism is massive and intense.
He recalled that, just a couple of years ago, union consultant Gordon Lafer, one of the most prominent anti-Right to Work activists in America, couldn’t help admitting: “Almost every union I know is in a panic about what do about Right to Work.”
“Dr. Lafer ain’t seen nothin’ yet,” said Mr. Mix. “Big Labor’s real time to panic will be after floor votes on forced-dues repeal are held in Congress!”
If you have questions about whether union officials are violating your rights, contact the Foundation for free help. To take action by supporting The National Right to Work Committee and fueling the fight against Forced Unionism, click here to donate now.
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