In Wisconsin, for example, the Republicans are eagerly advancing a prescription for sagging wages and opportunities in the private sector that would certainly result in a fatal “cure” or workers’ plight: a “right-to-work” law. Right-to-work laws are intended expressly to weaken unions by banning labor organizations from collecting fees from all workers who benefit from their extensive and costly efforts. This gives management a powerful incentive to divide workers by pressuring new workers to avoid financial support for the union.
Eventually, this translates into the erosion and near-complete
decimation of unions in right-to-work states, the decline of
worker safety, the marginalization of advocates for a strong social net, and predictably, primitive indicators of neglected health and educational needs. Instead, reflecting the hollowing-out of real democracy right-to-work states, these state typically neglect social needs and lavish vast public “incentives” on huge and profitable corporations.
But to avoid discussing the deplorable results of right-to-work laws, the Wisconsin Right to Work group––with close ties to Americans for Prosperity, the Koch brothers (see
here,
here, and
here), and the well-funded Bradley Foundation––is raising the phantom specter of a non-existent threat called “forced unionism.” In reality, no one in the United States can ever be compelled to become a union member under any circumstances.
...
Drawing on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Congressional Research Service
concluded in a December, 2012 report that states permitting “fair-share” or union-security” provisions showed sharply higher median wages: $50,867 compared with $43,641 in right-to-work states, a 16.5 percent differential amounting to $7,226 per year. Numerous other studies confirm this substantial advantage for workers in states allowing “fair share” contracts, while those in right-to-work states banning “fair-share” contracts suffering significantly lower pay and benefits.
for more information and links.
