Indiana IBEW Mobilizes Against Right-to-Work-for-Less Legislation

The future of the labor movement in Indiana could very well hinge on the results of a handful of state House races, says South Bend Local 153 Membership Development Director Troy Warner.  The Republican Party – which controls the state Senate – is only three seats away from winning a House majority, which would allow Gov. Mitch Daniels to realize his goal of making Indiana a right-to-work state. Daniels has also promised to do away with prevailing wage laws.

Indiana building trades members protest GOP legislation to cut unemployment benefits.

Says Warner:

We have to make sure that pro-worker lawmakers keep the House, because our jobs and our livelihoods are at stake.

It would be the first time Indiana has passed right-to-work legislation in more than 40 years. The state AFL-CIO reports that the workers in right-to-work states earn about $5,333 less than workers in other states, while the rate of workplace deaths is 51 percent higher.   

Daniels has promoted himself as a strong fiscal conservative, but as Warner puts it:

The only belts he is tightening are those of working people.

Daniels has tried to block construction workers from collecting unemployment benefits, slashed bargaining rights for public employees and opposed project labor agreements.

The IBEW is mobilizing to make sure state Rep. Nancy Michael – who represents a key swing district – holds on to her seat, while helping challengers Jesse James,  son of an Indianapolis Local 1393 member, and Linton Township Trustee Bionca Gambill in their bids to unseat anti-worker incumbents.

Says Terre Haute Local 725 Business Manager Todd Thacker:

They are all solidly pro-worker, but we need to make sure our members know that and get out to the polls.

Thacker says that they are also gearing up to support Rep. Brad Ellsworth in his race to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh. His opponent, former Sen. Dan Coats, has spent the last decade living in Virginia, working as a Wall Street lobbyist.  

Pro-worker U.S. Senate candidate Rep. Brad Ellsworth
speaks at this year’s Labor Day parade.

Ellsworth has racked up an impressive legislative record since his election in 2006, including helping to sponsor a bill that would crack down on employers that illegally label their employees as independent contractors.

Says Thacker:

The last thing the Senate needs is another corporate lobbyist. Working people need someone who understands what Indiana families are going through.

To see a full list of labor-endorsed candidates, click here.

Photo used under a creative commons license from Flickr user wilson46201