New Hampshire workers are the real winners today as state legislators not only voted down “right-to-work” for the state, but also banned consideration of the anti-worker law for the rest of the two-year session. New Hampshire would have been the first New England state to go “right-to-work.”
New Hampshire was all set to become the 29th state to pass the measure. States with “right-to-work” laws have lower wages and income than other states.
“Right-to-work does nothing but drive down wages and widen income inequality. These corporations will not stop until they have completely erased the middle class,” said IAM Eastern Territory General Vice President Jimmy Conigliaro, Sr. “We are going to move on to Ohio now and take on House Bill 53, and continue to fight for working families everywhere. I would like to thank all of the Eastern Territory staff and members who worked hard to keep New Hampshire from going “right-to-work” for less.”
Many expected the vote to be close, but figured it would pass as Republicans hold a majority in the house and senate. Republican Gov. Chris Sununu had said that making New Hampshire a “right-to-work” state was a priority.
“I couldn’t be more proud of those who worked to make sure the citizens of the New Hampshire come before corporate interests,” said IAM International President Bob Martinez. “Right-to-work-for-less shouldn’t be a partisan issue. It brings down wages and has a negative effect on all workers in the state, regardless of whether you’re a Republican or a Democrat.”
The battle to protect workers’ rights rages on in other states. Just this week “right-to-work” legislation was introduced in Ohio. In already “right-to-work” Iowa, state lawmakers are working on legislation to restrict public employees’ bargaining rights.
National “right-to-work” legislation has been introduced, but is very unlikely to pass through Congress.