Indiana joins right-to-work ranks, gov. signs bill

[The Straight Story]

Indiana joins right-to-work ranks, gov. signs bill

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Indiana has become the first Rust Belt state to enact the contentious right-to-work labor law prohibiting labor contracts that require workers to pay union representation fees.

Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels signed the bill Wednesday after it passed the Senate following weeks of discord that saw House Democrats boycott the Legislature and thousands of protesters gather at the Statehouse.

Indiana is the first state in a decade to enact a right-to-work law.

Supporters say the measure helps create a pro-business climate that attracts employers and increases jobs. Opponents say right to work leads to lower wages and poorer quality jobs.

Protesters say the fight isn't over and note that Indiana passed right to work once before but repealed it. Some plan to distribute leaflets at Sunday's Super Bowl.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_INDIANA_RIGHT_TO_WORK?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

[MADem]

1. Are those the "right to get fucked out of a decent wage in order to work" laws?

I shake my head in dismay.

[BlueJazz]

2. Yep...we have that crap down here in Florida and it's often used to:..

1. Pay a non-living wage
2. Fire somebody that they doesn't "think politically" like the Boss (right-Wing)
3. Tell women "You want to keep your job now..don't you..heh, heh)...after the Boss suggests ways to gain his favor.
4. Do everything they can to limit breaks, lunch, Etc. (Sure, it's against the law, but so what)
5. In short, stick a 2x4 up your ass every chance they get.

[freshstart]

3. I guess people

lack understanding of how the job market works? When wages go down for any worker, they take a downward trend for all....even those who are self-employed. There might be more jobs, but they'll be minimum wage jobs...until of course they go after the minimum wage. It amazes me that some self-employed trades people are Republicans. I guess they don't understand when they knock down the prevailing wage, they'll be working for less too.
http://in.aflcio.org/statefed/index.cfm?action=article&articleID=62b50588-74e6-414e-ae72-5c32b65c90e1

[EC]

4. Didn't the football players for the Super Bowl

warn him about this? I wonder if they will protest in some manner?

[freshstart]

6. The players said they'd stand with them....

"There have been threats that if the bill is signed into law, union members could disrupt the many Super Bowl-related events and activities that have taken over Indianapolis’s compact downtown area. That could put players – members of a union themselves – in the awkward spot of deciding whether to join the protests."
"While we’re out here, we’re going to make sure the folks who work for a living and unions they belong to know we appreciate them, we appreciate the strength they gave us for our fight. We’re always going to be standing shoulder to shoulder with men and women who want to collectively protect themselves.”
http://fifthdown.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/31/indiana-legislation-could-create-awkward-situation-for-n-f-l-players/

[pintobean]

5. Best wishes to our Hoosier brothers and sisters.

This really sucks.