To the editor:
In an opinion piece published in Tuesday’s Item, “The Forced Union Dues Injustice,” Mark Mix called for support of so-called “Right to Work” laws.
The phrase “Right to Work” is completely misleading. The correct title for these laws is, “Right to Work for Less.” Right to Work for Less is designed to restrict workers’ voices and ability to bargain for better wages, benefits, and working conditions by destroying unions’. As union membership declines, so do the standards and wages of the entire working class.
Historically, unions fighting for and getting better wages and benefits have set industry standards for both union and non-union workers. “Right to Work” is a threat to all workers, whether they are in a union or not.
In the 1950s, 35 percent of workers in the private sector belonged to a union. Today, only 6 percent of private-sector workers belong to a union. This has led to an increasing disparity between CEO and worker pay.
In 1965, a CEO made about 21 times more than the average worker. Today, a CEO makes about 351 times more than the average worker. Why “Right to Work”? Because greedy CEOs of major corporations want even more.
You really have to have a chuckle when people bend statistics dishonestly to support their agenda. In 2019, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the average union worker makes about 19 percent more than non-union workers. The average union dues range between 2 percent to 5 percent of wages.
After union members pay their dues, they are still earning 14 percent to 17 percent more than non-union workers. The injustice is not union dues; the injustice is how difficult the laws in this country make it organize a union.
Just look who is pushing for Right-to-Work-for-less legislation. The National Right to Work Committee is funded and supported by the top earners — the 1 percent — those who have money to buy custom legislation.
“Right to work” is wrong, plain and simple. It deprives workers of their freedom to join together and form strong unions if they choose to. Moreover, “right-to-work” laws suppress wages, lower workplace safety, and reduce the quality of public services we rely on in our communities.
So, how do we help all workers earn more?
In order to beat back “right-to-work” laws and make it easier for workers to organize their own unions, the U.S. Senate must pass the PRO-Act. The PRO-Act expands protections for workers to exercise their right to organize and bargain collectively.
Workers and allies around the country are pushing to pass the PRO-Act, and greedy CEOs are pushing Right to Work for Less. Which side are you on?
Justin Richards
Business Agent
IUE/CWA Local 201
