Kentucky Gov. Fletcher pushing 'right to work'

[Thom Little]

Kentucky can't compete with other southern states for new industrial jobs without reforming its union laws, Gov. Ernie Fletcher said yesterday at a press conference filled with business-executive cheers and union-member jeers.

Fletcher said he and a team of business executives will push in coming months for a so-called "right-to-work" law, which would give employees of a unionized workplace the choice to not pay union dues.
Twenty-three states, including almost all southern states, have such a law.

Fletcher and Gene Strong, secretary of the Cabinet for Economic Development, contend that many companies looking for a new location routinely mark Kentucky off their list because it is not a right-to-work state.

"We must get Kentucky off the economic development no-call list," Fletcher said.



http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/news/13570912.htm

[DIKB]

1. I can't believe

how many people buy this "blame the unions" BS. :mad:

The WV miners deaths were a result of safety protocols compromised by the LACK of a union. How can you trust a company, whose first last and only concern is profit ?

[mcscajun]

2. "right to work law" -- why not call it what it is...

"Right to Exploit Workers law" or, "union-busting law"

"right to work" -- damn the person who thought up this meme. Damn him all to hell.

[salin]

3. really bad timing, gov.

Those mining deaths... nonunion. Record of safety violations in union vs nonunion mines - quite large - suggesting that there would be many, many more such tragedies were there no unions. Kentucky is a coal state. You really want to threaten so many miners - on such a personal issue at this point in time?

[Coastie for Truth]

4. "Right to work" means "right to die"

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I grew up in coal mining country - "E" Mine, Pittsburg Terminal #5 - That's way it was spelled on the Corporate Records.

[MADem]

5. Why not call it what it really is????

Right to WORK, my ass. How about:

Right to pay people shit for their labor?

Right to work yerself to the bone to live in poverty?

Right for corporations to make millions and give back jackshit?

Maybe if Kentucky invested in education and infrastructure, they'd have an easier row to hoe....

I love the way they tout TN in the article as a successful right to work state, but what they do not mention is that Al Gore moved a SHITLOAD of military and Federal jobs there (that do not fall under these provisos) and boosted the per capita income as a consequence....

I think the whole key is a livable wage. People shouldn't have to work two or three jobs to support a small family.

[TheGunslinger]

6. Wonder if Ford (with two large truck plants in Ky) is pressuring Fletcher?

Given that Toyota (with a large plant in Ky) is doing very well in the marketplace, I wonder if Ford is pressuring to have the unions' power weakened?

[MADem]

7. Well, they could well need the dough--too many trucks, no hybrids n/t

[Thom Little]

8. Ford will stay unionized no matter what Kentucky does.

The collective bargaining agreement between the UAW and Ford is nationwide. All Ford employees are union no matter what the laws of an individual state may say. The Big Three automakers already have several plants in "right to work" states and they're all unionized because their collective bargaining agreements with the UAW are legally binding nationwide.

[no_hypocrisy]

9. "Right to work"?! No, no, no. What you really mean is:

1. Right to work and receive low income wages for your efforts
2. Right to work beyong 40 hours per week without overtime on low income wages (see #1)
3. Right to work in an environment that may threaten your safety and/or your life
4. Right to work without a pension to pay for your old age when you CAN'T work
5. Right to work without health benefits which you may need because you work in an environment that may threaten your safety and/or your life (see #2)
6. Right to work without the protection from being fired for any or no reason at all, without a hearing

[alfredo]

10. Ernie took money from Abramoff. He's under investigation for

other crimes. He went to office as Mr Holy Holy, but like most loud mouth Christians, it was all a front to hide his corrupt soul.

With a bit of luck, he will be more concerned with the right to pick up the soap without being buggered in the shower.