Right to work law should be eliminated

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/sfl-forum10worknbsep10,0,6026223.story

September 10, 2007

By Gene Mechanic



Gov. Charlie Crist expressed his view in a recent "Ask the Governor" column that Florida's so-called "Right to Work" law should not be abolished. The governor said that law provides "greater freedom" since "people will have the right to work, even if they are not members of a union." Contrary to the governor's information, under federal law, no employee can be forced to join a union. And "right to work" laws do not give workers freedom to choose whether to become union members because employers commonly intimidate their employees into staying away from unions.

"Right to work" laws are also costly to taxpayers. Without a strong union base, it is more difficult for workers and their families to achieve a decent standard of living and, as a result, taxpayers pay more for the cost of services to working families who are unable to make it on their own.

What are these "right to work" laws? Employees are legally entitled to union representation only when a majority of them say that they want to be represented by a union. When that happens, no employee can be forced to become a union member. However, the employees' chosen union may seek an agreement from the employer to require all employees receiving the services of the union to pay their fair share of the costs of those services, regardless of whether they are or are not union members. But states are allowed to pass "right to work" laws that make such an arrangement unlawful. This allows some employees to receive a free-ride on the backs of their co-workers. In other words, in a "right to work" state such as Florida, an employee can receive the benefits of union representation without contributing to the costs of that representation.

Would Gov. Crist support the freedom of individual Florida citizens to refuse to pay a tax for public services approved by a majority of Florida citizens?

The economically damaging effect of "right to work" laws is well documented. According to the federal Bureau of Labor statistics, the average worker in a "right to work" state makes about $5,333 a year less than workers in other states. A worker in a "right to work" state is also much less likely to have employer-provided health coverage and retirement plans. The rate of workplace deaths is 51 percent higher in states with a "right to work" law.

FULL story at link.