Wednesday, February 01, 2012

Gov. Daniels Signs Right To Work Into Law

Indiana officially became the 23rd state in the nation to enact a right to work law that allows employees working in union shops to opt out of joining and paying dues to the union. Gov. Mitch Daniels signed HB 1001 into law this afternoon after the Senate passed the legislation by a 28-22 vote. He had this to say in a written statement released after signing the bill into law, which takes effect immediately:

Seven years of evidence and experience ultimately demonstrated that Indiana did need a right-to-work law to capture jobs for which, despite our highly rated business climate, we are not currently being considered.
This law won’t be a magic answer but we’ll be far better off with it. I respect those who have objected but they have alarmed themselves unnecessarily: no one’s wages will go down, no one’s benefits will be reduced, and the right to organize and bargain collectively is untouched and intact.
The only change will be a positive one. 
Indiana will improve still further its recently earned reputation as one of America’s best places to do business, and we will see more jobs and opportunity for our young people and for all those looking for a better life.

Large numbers of union protestors chanting "United we stand, divided we fall" took their demonstration into the heart of the Super Bowl Village, disrupting what was otherwise a beautiful day for the outdoor festivities. Daniels will use the new law as a selling point to top business leaders from around the country whom he will be meeting with informally during this weekend's Super Bowl.

Gov. Pat Quinn in next door Illinois reacted with skepticism at Indiana's move to become a right-to-work state. Quinn called the legislation "a bad move that won't help Indiana compete with Illinois for business."
“Having a good union work force like Caterpillar and John Deere and Ford and Mitsubishi and Chrysler; they all have – Navistar as well – they’re all organized by the UAW and the UAW believes in making sure that people get a decent wage, get a decent health care plan and a decent retirement,” Quinn said.
Quinn said major companies like those are thriving in Illinois with union labor.
“Take a look at Caterpillar. They had their best year in 2011 since, I think, 1947 was the last year they were as good as they were last year. They sold a lot of machinery all over the world; 90 percent of what they make in Illinois, they export to the world,” Quinn said.
The governor also said he’s not worried about losing Illinois businesses to Indiana.
“That ain’t gonna happen, I’ll tell you that. I think that’s a bad bill and I’m very sorry that Mitch Daniels is gonna sign the ‘right to work for less’ bill. That’s a bad bill for the incomes of hard-working people,” Quinn said.

5 comments:

patriot paul said...

I saw the video clips to today's union protest into Super Bowl village, chanting 'No Super Bowl'. A channel 59 spokesman asked a lady down there with her children taking in the village experience what she thought; the lady replied the sea of Union people yelling against the event made her children scared.
Was this democracy in action or was it mean spirited thuggery? Very embarrassing to see and damaging to our image in an international audience, with their promise of more to come. Sad.

Paul K. Ogden said...

PP, I'm so sick of this over concern about the City's "image." Big events have protesters. That fact doesn't affect people's image of the host city. We really need to get beyond this inferiority complex that grips this city.

guy77money said...

Come on Paul people coming to the Super Bowl will see this as a nuisance more then an embarrassment. Just because Indy can throw a good party doesn't mean that business leaders are going to break down Indy's door to relocate here. As for the kids (I hope they were little and not skipping school) I have seen kids get scared by clowns and mascots so why not union guys. ;)

varangianguard said...

I disagree, Paul. If the timing was that bad, perhaps the legislature and Governor could have altered their own plans? No, in too much of a hurry, weren't they?

It is democracy in action, which isn't always Sunday School. You, yourself should acknowledge that.

Paul said...

V:

It is not the legislature's fault that people are protesting a bit too vehemently. It is the protesters who take responsibility for their own actions (I am guessing that some might not even live in Indy though, go what do they care).

Your argument is the political equivalent of the husband that beats his wife and then yells at her "Look what you made me do!"