It appears West Virginia will become the 26th state to pass Right-to-Work legislation. Although expecting a veto from Governor Tomblin, a simple majority is all that is needed to override, and the bill passed by a vote of 54-46. In the run up to the vote, the AFL-CIO attempted to make the tired argument that union workplaces are safer. Unfortunately, the statistics are against Big Labor on this point, and indicate that in states where Right-to-Work laws have been recently passed, nonfatal occupational injury rates have declined. Not only that, but in many cases right-to-work states are statistically safer than forced unionization states. In Alabama – already a right-to-work state – legislators are working to add an amendment to the state’s constitution that would declare the state as a right-to-work state. Unions are obviously challenging the move, deeming it unnecessary and a blatant attack on unions. In defending the move, Business Council of Alabama President William Canary said a constitutional amendment sends a message that right to work “is a fundamental right and has constitutional protections,” suggesting that the amendment may help bring business into the state.
