People suffer in “right-to-work states
Teamsters president Jim Hoffa makes the case that people in right-to-work states that deny collective bargaining rights to public and private sector workers, have lower pay, a tough time getting health insurance and often lack a safe workplace.
Hoffa writes: “Despite what corporate cronies and groups like ALEC claim, so-called right-to-work doesn’t create an environment that is good for workers or companies. In fact, a recent quality of life report found the bottom five states – Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee and Alabama — are right-to-work states. Meanwhile, four out of five with the highest quality of living — New Hampshire, Minnesota, Vermont and Massachusetts — are free bargaining states.
“Right-to-work is a ruse. These laws depress wages, resulting in workers making about $1,500 less than those living in non-RTW states. They are also more likely not to receive health insurance and more likely to work in a dangerous workplace. In addition, it is proven not to be a deciding factor in where businesses locate.
“Lawmakers must resist the rhetoric pushed by ALEC and others that makes right-to-work seem like a solution. It isn’t. All it seems to help create is less pay, less freedom in the workplace and maybe most important of all, a smaller middle class. If that’s seen by some as progress, government should be taking a pass on it.”