Indiana 'Right-to-Work' Battle Begins...

Subject: Indiana 'Right-to-Work' Battle Begins...

Hi All,

Here is the beginning of the big right-wing push for this year's 'Right-to-Work' (RTW) battle in Indiana. The chamber and the Daniels administration actually began this strategy back in December when the Indiana Chamber did 'polling' throughout the state on this issue. In January 2008, Kevin Brinegar, President of the Indiana Chamber, and Nate Feltman, the Indiana Secretary of Commerce for the Daniels Administration, appeared on Indiana Business Week with the results of the 'polling.' Both stated that a RTW law was one of the most important issues facing Hoosiers. Actually, I agree with that assertion. RTW is one of the most important issues facing Hoosier workers and we must fight it to the end!

I have pasted below a press release from the Indiana Chamber issued today regarding RTW. You may also watch the new Chamber video at: http://www.indianachamber.com/letters/

For the truth about RTW, please go to http://www.badforindiana.org or http://www.wrongformichigan.org Don't believe the hype. 'Right-to-Work' is bad for Indiana, it's bad for Hoosier workers, and it's bad for America.

David Williams
Union One
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Press Release
Link: http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/newsitem.asp?ID=30687

July 29, 2008 (INDIANAPOLIS)- Indiana is losing out on several fronts by not having a right-to-worklaw that prohibits requiring union membership or financial support as acondition of employment. This comes from the Indiana Chamber ofCommerce today in its fourth public policy letter from its board of directors to the state's two major party candidates for governor.

'By not having a right-to-work law, it basically handicaps the state's ability to win more new jobs and immediately takes us out of the running for many projects,' surmises Indiana Chamber President Kevin Brinegar. 'Economic development professionals repeatedly stress thatit's a strong factor in business investment and relocation.'

Existing jobs are also lost each year because of the absence of a right-to-work law Brinegar asserts. 'For instance, at the end of 2007, the Colgate-Palmolive Company closed its factory in Clarksville and moved to a right-to-work state. That decision cost nearly 500 Hoosiers their jobs.'

In total, 22 states have right-to-work laws. The Indiana Chamber notes that workers in these states enjoy higher incomes. Oklahoma - the last state to adopt a right-to-work law - has since seen its real personal income grow by 13.6 percent between 2003 and 2006, according to the National Institute for Labor Relations Research. That's also more than twice as fast as the overall personal income growth average in the 28 non-right-to-work states.

Brinegar says Hoosiers are becoming more and more aware of the situation. 'A recent survey by Indiana Business for Responsive Government (the Indiana Chamber's political action committee) found that over 70 percent of statewide respondents said they favored a right-to-work law.'

The letter calling for making Indiana a right-to-work state plus the accompanying video commentary can be found at http://www.indianachamber.com/letters/ There, Hoosiers can also view the timeline and subjects for all of the letters, as well as take the opportunity to share their thoughts on the Chamber blog.

The series, called 'Letters to Our Leaders,'continues through August 26, with one letter released weekly to the general public and the candidates on a key issue area that needs attention from state government. These messages are distributed on behalf of Indiana Chamber's 125 board members that represent 4,800 member companies employing 800,000 Hoosier workers.

Source: Indiana Chamber of Commerce

CNBC touts Indiana as one of the most business-friendly states in the country. Which story is true?