'Right to work' battle pitched in Minnesota

[geardaddy]

The bitter fight over unions that has swept across the country in the past year is erupting in Minnesota, as legislators begin toiling over a controversial proposal that would alter the nature and diminish the might of organized labor in the state.

More than 1,000 sign-wielding union workers and supporters poured into the Capitol on Monday, urging legislators to reject a proposed "right to work" constitutional amendment that is turning Minnesota into the latest Midwestern flashpoint in what has become a grinding clash between powerful unions and groups trying to break their grip on workplaces.

"This is going to turn Minnesota into a third-world country," said Mike Riley, a pipefitter from Elk River. "The way people are struggling now, how can they go after the unions?"

But as union workers chanted "Shame on you," supporters insisted the measure is crucial to making the state attractive for homegrown businesses and companies looking to relocate here. They say current union laws automatically raise the costs for businesses in the state. "What this amounts to is a job tax," said Sen. Dave Thompson, R-Lakeville, who is sponsoring the measure.

The Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Committee voted 7 to 6 on Monday to pass the bill on to its next committee stop, ending an emotional four-hour hearing. As the meeting ended, the crowd chanted "We will return." The committee's Republican majority supplied all the "yes" votes, while all DFLers voted "no," joined by Sen. Bill Ingebrigtsen, R-Alexandria, who said he helped form a union when he was a young deputy sheriff.

This was the first action on the "right to work" proposal, which prohibits unions from requiring nonmembers to pay dues or fees, and which generally makes it harder for unions to organize and retain members.

The Capitol echoed the union tumult that has swept the Midwest since Republican gains in the 2010 election.

More at link: http://www.startribune.com/politics/statelocal/142409845.html

[RC]

1. There is a well organized effort to kill the unions.

(Crystal Sugar has been trying to kill its union for almost two years.)

Here is an example from Grand Forks ND.

From the Comment Section of the MN anti-union/Constitution story. Look at the like/dislike. No way does that represent the people living there.

Minnesota right-to-work bill advances in Senate on split vote

http://topics.areavoices.com/2012/03/12/minnesota-right-to-work-bill-advances-in-senate-on-split-vote/

[geardaddy]

2. Yep, I've been following the Crystal Sugar story for a while.

It's all the ALEC legislators doing this.