Statement: “Right to Work” Ballot Initiative Partisan, Unnecessary

For Immediate Release

April 25, 2017

Contact: Jeremy Sprinkle, Communications Director, [email protected], 336-255-2711

So-Called “Right to Work” Ballot Initiative Purely Partisan, Totally Unnecessary

"Voters expect more from their representatives than petty political gamesmanship.”

MaryBe McMillan, Secretary-Treasurer of the NC State AFL-CIO, issued the following statement on the advancement of H.B. 819, which would put a so-called “Right to Work” constitutional amendment on the ballot in November 2018:

"It is ironic that Republicans who promote small government and rail against unnecessary laws are pushing a pointless and costly constitutional amendment to enshrine a 70-year old so-called ‘right to work’ law in our state’s constitution. House Bill 819 is not about protecting the rights of working people. It is about trying to drive out Republican voters in a critical election year.

"Instead of raising wages, expanding Medicaid, or doubling down on job creation, legislative leaders are willing to waste time and tax dollars on an unnecessary, partisan ballot initiative—and for that, they should ashamed of themselves.

"Voters expect more from their representatives than petty political gamesmanship. That’s why Virginians defeated a similar constitutional amendment in 2016 by 54 to 46 percent—and why this effort may backfire for Republicans in competitive races in 2018."

###

The North Carolina State AFL-CIO is the largest association of local unions and union councils in North Carolina, representing a hundred and thirty thousand union members, fighting for good jobs, safe workplaces, workers’ rights, consumer protections, and quality public services on behalf of ALL working people.  PO Box 10805, Raleigh, NC 27605.

Get the facts about so-called "Right to Work" (PDF)