Indiana right-to-work law advances toward approval
(Reuters) - Republicans lawmakers began a final push on Monday to approve legislation that would make Indiana the first right-to-work state in the nation's manufacturing belt, dealing a setback to organized labor in a presidential election year.
The measure, already given preliminary approval by both chambers of the Indiana legislature, would allow workers to opt out of paying union dues, even when a workplace is unionized.
Supporters of right-to-work, led by Indiana's Republican Governor Mitch Daniels, say it is needed to bring business and jobs to the state. Opponents call it "union busting" and say it will hurt workers with lower wages.
A state Senate committee voted 6 to 1 to advance the measure to the full Senate in a hearing attended by no Democratic committee members. The full Senate was expected to give the measure a final approval on Wednesday, sending it on to Daniels for his signature.
Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/30/us-unions-indiana-righttowork-idUSTRE80T0UZ20120130