Right-to-work
legislation advances in Wisconsin statehouse
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[March 02, 2015]
By Brendan O'Brien
MADISON, Wis. (Reuters) - A Wisconsin
legislative panel was due on Monday to review a state Senate-passed bill
that would allow private-sector employees to avoid joining a union or
paying union dues even when working under union-negotiated contracts.
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The measure, which would make Wisconsin the 25th state to enact
such a "right-to-work" law, has been cast by supporters as an
incentive for keeping and attracting businesses and jobs, while
unions brand it as a thinly disguised assault on organized labor.
The legislation was narrowly approved on Wednesday by the Wisconsin
Senate, which like the state Assembly is led by a Republican
majority. One Republican senator broke with his party to join all 14
Democrats in that chamber to oppose the bill. The remaining 17
Republicans voted for it.
Governor Scott Walker, a potential Republican presidential
candidate, also supports the legislation.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2015/Mar/02/images/ads/current/graueinc_generic_sda.png) Walker became a hero to Republican Party conservatives in 2011 when
he pushed for a law to limit the collective bargaining rights of
public-sector employees. His political stature grew when he survived
a union-backed recall election in 2012.
The bill now moving through the legislature would prohibit
private-sector workers from being required to join and financially
support a union - such as by paying dues - as a condition of their
employment.
Under such "open shop" scenarios, employees subject to the wages and
benefits of a collective bargaining agreement are nevertheless free
to eschew membership in the union that negotiated the contract on
their behalf.
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Opponents view the legislation as a way to limit union revenue,
shrink membership and further erode the political power of organized
labor. Supporters contend a right-to-work law would protect worker
rights while attracting businesses to Wisconsin.
Thousands of workers rallied at the capitol last week to protest the
legislation.
The state Assembly labor committee has scheduled 10 hours of public
testimony on the legislation for Monday, and unions are calling on
workers to testify against the measure.
The full Assembly, where Republicans hold a 63-36 majority, is due
to take up the bill on Thursday. If the Assembly approves it, the
measure will be sent to Walker's desk, and he is expected to sign
it. The measure as written would take effect upon the governor's
signature.
(Editing by Steve Gorman and Eric Walsh)
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