Right to work – for le$$!

by John Armelagos, RN and Anita Szczepanski

A gathering storm approaches on the political horizon. Powerful, regressive forces across the nation and within our state are combining to potentially harm working families by attempting to enact right to work laws in Michigan.

What is right to work (RTW)? RTW is not about guaranteeing employment for anyone who wants a job. RTW is about weakening unions and harming working families. When you see RTW, understand it’s really “RTW for less.” In Michigan and the majority of states in the country, employers and unions freely negotiate union security provisions in labor agreements. RTW laws inject government intrusion into the collective bargaining process. RTW prohibits employers and unions from voluntarily agreeing to union security provisions.

Union security provisions provide that every worker who hires into an organized setting must either be a member of the union or pay a service fee. Without a union security clause, non-members reap all the benefits of the union’s service and organization without having to pay one cent. Moreover, because federal law mandates all workers have the right to representation regardless if they decide to join the union or not, non-member ‘free-riders’ impose an unfair financial burden on the dues-paying union members.
Who is behind this radical scheme to weaken unions and harm working families? The ultra-conservative group, National Right to Work, which supports RTW initiatives throughout the country, is comprised of over 250 staff with annual revenue in excess of $14 million. Large, multinational corporations such as the anti-union Wal-Mart and Coor’s beer contribute to the effort. In Michigan, the Mackinac Center disseminates RTW propaganda to the media. State House Republicans Hoogendyk (Portage) and Elsenheimer (Bellaire) introduced a two-bill package to make Michigan RTW.

How does RTW harm our families? By depressing union membership and limiting the effectiveness of unions, RTW harms union and non-union workers and their communities. In RTW states, wages are lower by 6-8% or by several thousand dollars annually. In RTW states, poverty rates are 31% higher. In RTW states, less is devoted to education by $2,400 annually per pupil.

What is the effect of RTW on public health? Registered Nurses are natural health advocates and trusted leaders in health care. RTW provisions dramatically harm the health of citizens. Infant mortality rates are 8% higher. The uninsured health care population is 15% greater. Also, the rate of workplace mortality is 41% more frequent.

What can you do to defeat right to work? If the RTW battle engages in Michigan, the more likely avenue is through the ballot initiative. Approximately 304,100 petition signatures must be obtained by the end of July, 2008 for the initiative to be placed on the November, 2008 ballot. Every union member, every progressive citizen must mobilize and act to defeat RTW from becoming law in Michigan. Become informed about the issue. Register to vote. Educate your family, friends, and co-workers. Speak to civic and community groups, and at your place of worship. Write letters to the editor. Be prepared to canvass door to door to inform other union members and citizens to reject RTW. The Michigan Nurses Association pledges to work with other organizations to defeat any effort that would make our state RTW.

In addition to protecting our standard of living, unions promote an essential function within our political landscape by ensuring a more democratic, more pluralistic nation. Keep our nation free by defeating RTW!

John Armelagos, RN, is the Secretary of the MNA Board of Directors and Chair of the University of Michigan Professional Nurses Council (UMPNC). Anita Szczepanski is the MNA Labor Attorney.