West Virginia on Verge of Becoming 26th Right to Work State
Coercive unionism may be coming to an end in West Virginia despite threats from Democratic Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin to veto right to work legislation.
West Virginia could become the 26th right to work state in the country after the House of Delegates passed legislation on Thursday that would prevent companies from requiring union membership as a condition of employment. Delegate Gary Howell, a chief advocate for the bill, said the legislation fits into the pro-growth agenda that led Republicans to take control of the legislature in the traditionally Democratic state.
“It is good for workers in the state because we will have more jobs. We need jobs really bad here,” Howell told the Washington Free Beacon in a phone interview. “We’re going to start attracting manufacturers. Right to work is key to locating businesses.”
Not everyone in the state is as excited by the prospects of ending forced unionism. Labor groups universally opposed the legislation, as did their ally in the governor’s mansion. Tomblin pledged to veto the legislation in a Thursday release, saying that the state should focus on curbing substance abuse and spurring development key to economic recovery.
“I will veto the legislation passed today, which received bipartisan opposition but only partisan support,” he said in a statement. “I remain committed to growing West Virginia’s economy, but I do not believe right-to-work legislation is the best way to do that.” (Read more from “West Virginia on Verge of Becoming 26th Right to Work State” HERE)
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