Kentucky’s Right-to-Work Earthquake Reverberates Across State Lines
Kentucky’s Gov. Matt Bevin, a Republican, has now officially signed right-to-work legislation–along with other jobs legislation–into law.
Yet the impact of Kentucky’s right-to-work legislation could move beyond the state’s borders.
Right-to-work laws prohibit employers from entering into agreements that make union membership and the payment of union dues a condition of employment.
Additionally, Bevin signed the Paycheck Protection Act, which calls on workers to “opt in” if they want union dues withheld from their paychecks instead of requiring workers to “opt out” if they don’t want their union dues withheld. The other big ticket item eliminates the “prevailing wage” employers must now pay on work funded with public money. This involves construction work on schools and government buildings.
These laws could have a significant impact on the national debate over worker freedom. Kentucky is poised to become the 27th right-to-work state.
A Republican Wave
“Promises made, Promises kept.”
That’s how Rep. Jason Nemes, R-Ky., describes the successful push for right-to-work legislation that went down during Saturday’s special session of his state’s General Assembly.
Nemes was elected in November along with a Republican wave that delivered the Kentucky House of Representatives to his party for the first time since 1921.
“I’m calling it promises made, promises kept because …read more