Workers are once again gathering at the Indiana statehouse as Republican legislators rush a so-called "right to work" bill through to passage. Once passed—and with Republicans holding commanding majorities in both the House and Senate, it will be passed—the law will force union members to pay for the union to represent their coworkers who choose not to be union members.
The Indianapolis Star reported Thursday evening that:
Usually bills are heard independently in the House and Senate, taking a few weeks in each chamber to be debated and voted upon.
This year, the House and Senate have scheduled an unusual joint hearing on Friday for the “right to work” bill, and Bosma said it would be available then for possible amendment by the full House on Monday and a final vote in the House on Tuesday.
Friday morning, as the hearing began:
This morning, the House chamber — where the hearing is taking place — is packed with lobbyists and news media on the floor, with the public gallery filled, mainly with union members. Others are in the hallway, watching through the large glass windows at the back of the chamber.
But so far, the protesters are silent, as if at a wake.
In a sense they are. They're awaiting the passage of a law that will not only fracture solidarity in the workplace but will drive down wages and working conditions for all Indiana workers. It's a sad day.
11:55 AM PT: One possible reason for the rush is that, in a few weeks, the Super Bowl will be bringing some prominent union members to Indianapolis. In a statement, the NFL Players Association says:
To win, we have to work together and look out for one another. Today, even as the city of Indianapolis is exemplifying that teamwork in preparing to host the Super Bowl, politicians are looking to destroy it trying to ram through so-called “right-to-work” legislation.
“Right-to-work” is a political ploy designed to destroy basic workers’ rights. It’s not about jobs or rights, and it’s the wrong priority for Indiana.