Gil White, state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, said the state’s leading small-business association is urging lawmakers to vote “yes” on Senate Bill 1, legislation that would make West Virginia a right-to-work state.

“This is one of the most important issues facing us right now,” White said. “If we’re serious about staying competitive and attracting and keeping jobs, we need to become a right-to-work state.

“Some people say right-to-work is anti-union, but that’s simply not true. If you want to join a union, you’re free to join a union. What right-to-work means is that you don’t have to join a union in order to get a job and support your family. By the same token, right-to-work means you can’t be fired for joining a union.

“Right-to-work means exactly what it says: You have a right to work.

“Becoming a right-to-work state would immediately make us more competitive regionally and nationally. Employers look at a state’s right-to-work status when deciding where to locate or expand. Becoming a right-to-work state, and becoming more competitive, would create more opportunities for small, family businesses.”

Unlike other business groups, NFIB’s public-policy positions are based solely on the input of its members, and 85 percent of West Virginia members balloted by the association support right-to-work legislation.

To learn more, visit www.NFIB.com/WV or follow @NFIB_WV on Twitter.