LC 1.16 Right To Work Repeal Act

[Pyro]

Mr. Speaker,

I bring forward this measure as a simple means for Lincoln to ensure we stand as a stalwart defender of collective bargaining rights and, at the very least, for laborers to have a fair shake. "Right to Work" is the epitome of a poisoned chalice: a phrase that may sound pleasant but in effect contains the potential to cripple our working class.

First, regarding present statute. Workers in Atlasia have a guaranteed right to form and work alongside a labor union through the POWER Act. The POWER Act also stipulates the following in Sec 4-2, that "Unions shall decide whether or not those who do not pay dues for union representation can receive the benefits of the union." Lincoln's aforementioned "Right to Work" law mandates, "No employee shall be compelled as a condition of employment to join or associate with any union."

It is fair to assume that most sensible unions would not wish to represent a non-dues paying worker as doing so serves no tangible benefit to the organization and siphons its funds. A worker unwilling to join his/her recognized company union will not have his/herself represented by said union in negotiations. The opposing side may argue that this is the purpose of Sec 4-2, that is, protecting labor unions from the destructive nature of "Right to Work." However, on the contrary, the toxic mixture of these two policies harms both union and non-union households.

Since the passage of "Right to Work" in Lincoln, we have encountered a rise in workplaces containing two disparate classes of workers with neither benefiting from the situation created by this legislation. Agency shops having been outlawed has halted the ease of 'single contract negotiation', meaning the entire workforce is no longer set under the same basic guidelines and agreements stipulated in a contract. Now we have one class of union workers operating under their agreed upon pay-scale, benefits, etc and a class of non-union workers operating under the company's chosen arrangement - all under the same company roof.

Aside from its blatant inequality, our present circumstance as highlighted above is an incredibly unhealthy arrangement for one simple reason. It favors private enterprise above the labor union.

Consider that in any given former agency shop, a union may have retained 50% membership. Now, should it come time for the union to renegotiate its labor contract with the shop owner(s), the union will have lost substantial footing on the negotiating table as it now represents a mere fraction of the workers. It stands to reason that the shop will not agree to terms as they once were. Salaries and wages will be slashed and benefits will be reduced. Why, then, would a non-union worker even consider joining with a now-declining organization? Follow this slope to its logical end and we have hemorrhaged wages, the disappearance of pensions and a solid win for the owners at the expense of workers.

The short and sweet of the matter is that "Right to Work" cannot function in Atlasia without forsaking the interests of its workforce.

[Pyro]

It appears as though there is no further debate.
I motion for a final vote.

[Pyro]

Mr. Speaker, I move for Cloture.

the amendment?

I proposed a final vote 24 hours ago.
With all due respect, you can't ignore that and propose an amendment.

[Pyro]

AYE