NFIB State Director Gregg Thompson said today that the state’s leading small business advocacy organization will key vote Senate action on legislation that would place a right-to-work amendment before voters in November.

“By key-voting Senate Bill 1082, we’re letting senators know that small business owners strongly support protecting the right-to-work and that we’ll report every vote on this legislation to our members, their constituents,” Thompson said.

SB 1082 would amend the state constitution to protect workers’ right to choose whether to join or financially support a labor union as a condition of employment. The proposed amendment would appear on the November ballot.

“Big Labor claims right-to-work is anti-union, but that’s not true,” Thompson said. “Right-to-work means employees have a choice. If someone wants to join a union, they can. But no one should be forced to join or pay dues to get or keep a job.”

Thompson said strong right-to-work protection would help strengthen North Carolina’s economy. “Employers want a fair and flexible workforce,” he said. “By key voting SB 1082, we’re making it clear that protecting worker freedom and maintaining a competitive business climate are top priorities for Main Street.”