There’s a shady new front group in town, gearing up to attack workers and Wisconsin’s middle class. On December 1, a group with ties to the Koch Brothers launched an organization called “Wisconsin Right to Work” to “aggressively promote” anti-worker policies in the state legislature. On December 2, Rep. Chris Kapenga (R-Delafield) publicly promised to introduce an anti-worker Right to Work bill during the 2015-2016 legislative session. On December 4, Sen. Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau) said the Senate would lead on Right to Work and take it up in just a matter of weeks.
Right to Work isn’t what it seems. It is a complicated and controversial anti-worker bill brought to you by out-of-state special interests that want to drive down wages and line their own pockets.
Here are the Facts
- RTW doesn’t create jobs. Passing RTW won't create even one job in Wisconsin. RTW is a power grab by out-of-state special interests who want to eliminate unions and stack the deck even more in their favor, all at the expense of the middle class.
- RTW is an attack on the middle class. These anti-worker Right To Work laws just force all working families to work harder for lower pay and less benefits, whether they're in a union or not. The average worker makes about $5,000 less and pensions are lower and less secure in Right to Work states. If we don’t stop these attacks, the middle class will continue to shrink.
- All working people deserve real freedom, not laws like these. Freedom is about being able to earn a living wage, balance life with work and come home safe after a day's work. Freedom is the ability to speak out about workplace conditions without fear of retaliation. This is what we need to work toward, not laws like these.
The truth is Right to Work benefits the people at the top while hurting the rest of us. Don’t be fooled -- when powerful special interests win, it’s people who work for a living and the middle class that loses.
I'm disappointed that Walker is pushing this hurtful proposal to undermine the working class.
From a former Wisconsinite.
Posted by: Ryan warwick | 12/17/2014 at 06:53 PM
And Walker acts as if he isn't in on this! What a joke. Mr. President-Elect now plays Mr. Neutral?
Posted by: D | 12/17/2014 at 07:14 PM
We posted this to www.wibailoutpeople.org & shared nationally. Solidarity sisters & brothers!
Posted by: Bryan G Pfeifer | 12/17/2014 at 10:34 PM
Stop the attacks on workers wildlife and women in Wisconsin.
Posted by: Michelle hyllested | 12/18/2014 at 12:27 PM
RTW is wrong
Posted by: pat groelle | 12/18/2014 at 10:17 PM
Let's fire these companies and get them out of our state
Posted by: kim Pultz | 12/19/2014 at 06:40 AM
The RTW proponents claim that right to work gives workers the freedom from paying forced dues. I say if a worker doesn't want to pay dues, that worker should find a job with a non union employer. Then the worker can enjoy the freedom to bargain on his own behalf on issues like wages, benefits, pension safety and personal issues. When the employer scoffs at the worker's grievance, the worker can thank the Wisconsin GOP for granting him the freedom from paying forced union dues.
Posted by: William McGowan | 12/20/2014 at 07:30 PM
Walker is all about hurting the middle class and the poor. Pompous ass that he is.
Posted by: Mary Kay Schimming | 12/30/2014 at 07:34 AM
RTW Doesn't mean what it says it means right for the employer to do what ever they want can fire you for anything don't like the way you look fired don't let this happen if you do you are screwed the top 5 states for personnel bankruptcy are RTW states Indiana is in the top 5 and they have been RTW for only a few years UNITED WE STAND DIVIDED WE FALL Fight back don't let this happen
Posted by: Patrick McCarthy | 12/30/2014 at 10:14 AM
DO YOU WANT WIS.POOR LIKE THE SOUTHERN STATES OR WHAT?WALKER
Posted by: TOBY | 12/30/2014 at 06:12 PM
NO!
Posted by: William Jaskowiak | 12/31/2014 at 02:46 AM
RTW to me is about who should pay for barging costs (Dues). I believe it should be all the individuals in union. Members elected to participate when the union was certified by department of labor when union wasformed.
Posted by: john davis | 01/04/2015 at 03:11 AM
if you dont pay dues you shouldnt get union benefits/no dues no benifits
Posted by: emily brown | 03/01/2015 at 04:30 PM