Indiana Democrats are ending their legislative boycott, which means that the Republicans may soon be able to pass their bill effectively banning union shops. Tweeting from the Indiana statehouse, Indianapolis Star reporter Mary Beth Schneider reports that Governor Mitch Daniels still won't say who funded the advertising he appears in arguing for the bill. A bit:
The good news is when Indiana gets a chance to compete for new jobs, we're winning -- two thirds of the time. But we get cut out of a third of all deals because we don't provide workers the protection known as Right to Work.
In the mystery ad from the "Indiana Opportunity Fund," Governor Daniels makes it sound as if businesses won't come to Indiana because the workers there don't have enough rights. It's as though altruistic businesses were protesting Indiana's unfair treatment of its own citizens by staying away from Hoosier land.
In reality, bills like Indiana's Right to Work statute hurt employees by driving down wages -- by an average of 3. 2 percent. If businesses care about the workers, they should be out there picketing against bills like the one Indiana wants to pass.
Also, about that third of opportunities the governor says slip away from Indiana's grasp: it's worth noting that Indiana Republicans aren't naming the businesses. They just keep saying it's a third. As you can see from the Economic Policy Institute chart below, the union rights Indiana is about to kibosh don't seem to have hurt the state.
On Friday, we suggested that Indiana Republicans might be in a hurry to pass this now so they don't have protests during the Super Bowl in Indianapolis next month. The NFL players union has spoken out against the bill. "So-called 'right-to-work' bills divide working families at a time when communities need to stand united," they wrote. "We need unity—not division. We urge legislators in Indiana to oppose 'right-to-work' efforts, and focus instead on job creation."
Chart from the Economic Policy Insitute
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well if you can not win with truth you need to lie lie lie and hope it catches on!
old saying
You should never be loyal to a company cause that company will never be loyal to you!
Good job again Indiana. Has there ever been a story about this state that hasn't made us an embarrassment to the country.
Businesses are staying away from Indiana because ... um ... it's Indiana! COME ON!!!
You guys rock for keeping on Governor Daniels and Indiana Republicans for lying to Hoosiers about these number and about the support and jobs growing in Right to Work states. I have a petition on Change.org that is growing because of Hoosier Union Members and Pro-Labor supporters who admire your coverage, and I continue to link to your blog posts. Thanks for keeping this story alive!
Aww, come on guys - Minimum wage isn't that big of a deal to forfeit. We promise we won't abuse you if you give this MEANINGLESS right up ! I promise ! ...... WHAT A JOKE !!
Yeah, right!! Oklahoma is a right-to-work state - therefore teachers start out at maybe $29,000/yr, little to no benefits, and no retirement plan. Oh, and if you strike - you get fired!
Oh, and non-union companies like Walmart? Try getting your overtime pay from them, or workman's comp, or even health benefits that they AGREE to!!
3.2% less "after controlling for a full complement of individual demographic and socioeconomic variables as well as state macroeconomic indicators" (from linked article). In other words, for the individual snap-shot in time and data of things that constantly change, after applying numerous statistical controls, the average full-time wage is $0.70 less in "Right to Work" states than the $22.15 average in non-RTW states.
The point is this...the argument for or against right to work laws shouldn't be based on average wage data. It's too open to manipulation and can easily divert the argument into meaningless rabbit hole about wages, instead of the philosophical/societal/values discussion it should be.
It's just so sad. It is a Pottersville reality that Thomas Frank was remarking on to Rachel last week- One that has been socially constructed for us in the sense of Durkheim and Foucalt.
I made a graphic of Obama in front of the Capra scene of Pottersville for an essay I wrote. It is CC3.0 if it is any use to you folks.
Ask those of us who live in Florida, another "right to get fired" state. Imagine working for a company that can fire you at will. Imagine working for $4 to $5 less per hour than in a strong union state. The you will know what is in store for Indiana workers.
Employees in states without right work laws can be fired at will unless state law establishes termination rights and I don't know of any state that does that by law. The second way termination rights come into existence is employee manuals and written policies of a company. The third method is by union contract. Otherwise, you are an employee at will and can be fired for most any reason, except those provide by federal law governing race, religion and gender. Most states provide a right to sue for retaliatory discharge for filing a workers comp case or if there is a whistle blower statute.
Daniels knows that you cannot prove the negative. This is just a case of flagrant lies to the public. Disinformation is the way politicians and Fox try to persuade you about the truth of the matter.
If you are in a union and you are facing termination or have been terminated, the union will provide legal aid to you free of charge.
And if you are in a union, it doesn't matter how hard you work, you still make the same as everyone else in your pay scale, regardless of initiative. Many people, including myself, prefer to be paid in a competitive way where the better people earn more. Which is one reason states and cities are in trouble. Employee benefits taxpayers can no longer afford.
It always matters how hard you work. Ethic and pride always pay. When you do your job with integrity and mind your business and not everyone else s you will be rewarded. That is what America is all about. When you spend your efforts worrying about a slacker then you are no better than them. Unions protect workers from unfair and unsafe work practices. Why do you think so many people lost their lives fighting for Unions, Educate yourself Sir, you will see the truth.
If Sean Hannity forms a TV Host union and stipulates that no one can host a talk show and earn less money than he does, would Rachel M join that union? What if MSNBC said it would not pay her that much? Would she agree to be unemployed or would she change professions? Maybe unions are not angelic. http://wp.me/p1jTK0-6k
The example is utter nonsense. A union gets its strength from the workers in it, not from some figurehead. In other words, Sean Hannity is a union of one, and therefore has almost no bargaining power. If all the hosts on Fox News joined a union, then they'd have more bargaining power with Fox News, but almost none with MSNBC. If all the hosts on all the shows on all the stations joined a union, they'd have more bargaining power yet.
It's really quite simple. A union is a group of people who agree to work together to improve their bargaining position with the company or industry they work for. The company has total control over contracts without a union.
My bet is that both hannity and Rachel Maddow have iron-clad contracts guarantying them a hefty paycheck. And to answer your question, she would under no cirtumstances ever do anything in conjunction with that rectal opening.
They also get money. I would guess that union dues eat-up about 3.2% of the non-RTW pay?
none of you answered the question or recognized the point. Why, if Rachel is free to negotiate with MSNBC to make less than Sean Hannity, why shouldn't a pipe fitter who's just learning his trade be free to work for a lower wage, too?
Aren't both Rachel and Hannity (and everyone one else who is on air in MSNBC and Fox) in AFTRA?
http://www.aftra.org/
Yup, and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists is a union that is affiliated with the AFL-CIO.
Oh the irony at Fox News!
making a SWAG here but my money is on the Anti-US Chamber of Commence.
as far as who is running these adds.
heres another headline that will also have the Anti-US CoC crying.
Labor board says companies can't bar workers from class action
http://www.indianaeconomicdigest.net/main.asp?SectionID=31&SubSectionID=120&ArticleID=63189
How about in 2011. Down compared to other midwestern states
What it boils down to, is that companies do not want workers to be able to have a unified voice for humane treatment in the workplace. So, company execs demonize unions in order to get workers to believe that unions are greedy monsters, out to get their hard-earned money. Companies entice workers, and entire states, with the "Right to Work" heavenly slogan, which promises that people, thank God, can get a job without having to join an evil union. What this Right to Work status actually does, however, is allow companies to mistreat their workers (for company profit), while insuring that those workers lack any means to protect themselves as a group. Right to Work leads to quick and easy firing of disgruntled workers. It leads to masses of fired workers getting no unemployment compensation. It leads to homelessness and uninsured workers and families. Meanwhile, the company owners and execs pocket the huge profits. They do not respect their workers.
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Gee just who do our elected officials work for and why do we elect them?
"Also, about that third of opportunities the governor says slip away from Indiana's grasp: it's worth noting that Indiana Republicans aren't naming the businesses."
So basically it the same blah, blah, blah regarding those mysterious "job creators" that we can't raise taxes on, yet they're not creating any jobs.....Gee, that logic still isn't making sense to me!
As a former 16 - year resident of Indiana, i am appalled at the way Gov. Daniels is attempting to sell out the working class in that wonderful state. He should be ashamed of himself. . . . . . Oh wait, he's a rethuglican.
I guess he's ok w/ SCABS crossing picket lines and taking union workers
jobs
Unlike Ohio and Wisconsin, I guess hoosiers have no idea what they are getting for themselves. Or they don't have the intestinal fortitude to change for the better. If they don't then they get what they deserve. If you want something bad enough you find a way to get it !!!!!