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We at the National Right to Work Committee are fighting at many levels to protect America's working men and women's right to decide for themselves whether or not a union deserves their financial support.
Whether it be in the state and federal legislatures, the courts, or hearing rooms at the FEC or the NLRB, we fight to ensure that workers join unions because they want to – not out of fear or federal mandate.
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National Right to Work Committee President Congratulates Ernie Fletcher on KY Gubernatorial Win
KY governor-elect signed campaign pledge to oppose forced unionism
FOR RELEASE: November 11, 2003
Washington, D.C. (November 11, 2003) – Mark Mix, President of the 2.2 million-member National Right to Work Committee® congratulated Ernie Fletcher last Wednesday on his November 4 victory in the Kentucky Governor’s race.
Said Mr. Mix, “Supporters of Right to Work in Kentucky should be greatly encouraged that they finally have a Governor who has pledged his opposition to forced unionism.”
During his campaign, Mr. Fletcher, a Republican, was outspoken in his opposition to forced unionism, publicly stating his intent to reverse his predecessor’s executive order forcing Kentucky’s public-sector workers into union-monopoly bargaining.
But in addition to the public sector, currently tens of thousands of Kentucky private sector workers also are forced to pay dues or “fees” to a union in order to get or keep a job.
As a U.S. Congressman, Ernie Fletcher opposed forced unionism by cosponsoring a National Right to Work law, which would eliminate the provisions in federal labor law that authorize forced-dues contracts like those in Kentucky.
Past gubernatorial candidates who were personally opposed to forced unionism have, in response to union boss threats, attempted to sidestep the forced-unionism issue over the years, and Mark Mix says Congressman Fletcher’s victory proves they made a mistake.
“Congressman Fletcher stood tall against the threats of the union bosses – and the people of Kentucky clearly liked what they saw."
Continued Mr. Mix. “Nearly eight out of every ten Americans, including those in Kentucky, believe it’s wrong to force workers to pay dues to a union boss just to have jobs and feed their families. Governor-elect Fletcher stands in agreement with the overwhelming majority of Americans who oppose forced unionism.”
Mr. Mix also praised Fletcher for recognizing the potential economic benefits of Right to Work for Kentucky.
“Just look at Oklahoma, the most recent state to pass a Right to Work law,” said Mix. “In the year after passing a Right to Work law outlawing forced unionism, Oklahoma went from 40th to 1st in new job creation.”
“It’s long past time for Kentucky’s leaders to take the initiative in bringing business and jobs to Kentucky by passing Right to Work.”
For more information on Right to Work legislation in Kentucky, or to ask any questions, please contact Kirsten A. Heffron at (800) 325-7892.