Wisconsin Appears Set To Join Ranks Of Right-To-Work States

Date: March 02, 2015

Governor, Considering Presidential Bid, Will Sign Bill

The
Wisconsin state Senate on
Wednesday passed a bill that would make the state the 25th to adopt
right-to-work laws. The 17-15 vote saw all but one Republican vote for the
legislation, while all Democrats opposed the measure. The bill would prevent employees from being
required to join a union or pay dues if they are hired by an organized firm.

What Happens Next:

The legislation is now headed for the state Assembly,
where the GOP has a 63-36 majority, and it is expected to pass easily when it
is taken up next week. A final vote in that chamber is expected next Thursday.
Once it clears that chamber, it will head to Gov. Walker’s desk, and he has
indicated that he will sign it.

What This Means For Small Business:

The
NFIB and other pro-businesses groups have
endorsed the legislation, with Wisconsin State Director Bill G. Smith saying
the “Wisconsin small business community has always come down on the side of
free-market principles that promote fair competition. This legislation simply
provides workers the freedom to decide for themselves whether to participate in
a labor union.” According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, nominal income
rose by 209.3 percent in right-to-work states from 1990-2011, while it rose
only 148.5 percent in non-right-to-work states.

In addition, a number of nearby Midwestern states, including Michigan and
Indiana, are already right-to-work states, so the data strongly suggest that
the change will enhance Wisconsin’s business competitiveness with its
neighbors.

Additional Reading:

Nationally, CNN, Reuters and the AP, among others, reported on the issue.
Locally, the Green Bay (WI) Press-Gazette, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and WISN-TV cover the story. The NFIB has also made a statement on the issue.

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