A so-called "Right-to-Work" law would be devastating for Hoosier workers and the State of Indiana.  If enacted, a so-called "Right-to-Work" law in Indiana would lower wages and benefits for all Hoosier workers.

A 2006 independent report by Indiana University details how a “Right-to-Work” law would negatively impact hard-working Hoosier families. The following are key conclusions of the Indiana University report:

> Oklahoma, the most recent state to pass a “Right-to-Work” law (2001), between 2002–2004 saw a 6.4% loss in manufacturing jobs and a 10.6% loss in information-field related jobs.

> When all 22 current “Right-to-Work” states were examined, wages dropped significantly for workers in all demographic categories.

> The report estimates, based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and Census Bureau data, that if Indiana were to adopt a “Right-to-Work” law, weekly wages for all workers may drop by as much as 16.3% and annual wages for all workers may drop as much as 17.3%.

> Median family income and average weekly wages are consistently higher in states without antiquated “Right-to-Work” laws.

The report concludes that a “Right-to-Work” law would be a fundamental step backwards for Indiana and would be a “race to the bottom” in terms of wages, benefits, and working conditions for Hoosier families.

There are many other independent reports that establish similar facts found in the Indiana University report.  Reports from the Economic Policy Institute (EPI) and others reveal the destructive nature of so-called “Right-to-Work” laws.

Currently, less than half of the states in the country have adopted “Right-to-Work” laws.  However, many supporters claim that several surrounding states are in the process of passing “Right-to-Work” legislation.  This is misleading at best.  What they fail to mention is that all of these states have repeatedly rejected “Right-to-Work” laws even though supporters continue their antiquated campaigns year after year.  Additionally, Colorado voters soundly defeated a “Right-to-Work” ballot initiative in 2008.

“Right-to-work” laws are outdated and a throw-back to the anti-union agenda of another era.  “Right-to-work” state laws are redundant and unneeded when the current federal law is actually examined.

“Right-to-work” laws represent destructive economic development policy guided by extreme partisan politics. The goal should be to raise the standard of living for hard-working Hoosier families, not lower it. Hard-working Hoosier families deserve better than an antiquated law designed to raise corporate profits and lower worker wages and benefits.

Hoosier families need their elected politicians to engage in positive work toward keeping good jobs in this state, not support legislation that lowers wages and benefits for everyone.

Demand that Indiana legislators stand up to outside "special-interests" and fight for better wages and benefits for Indiana families.  Demand that they say "NO" to a so-called "Right-to-Work" law in Indiana.

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