The Dexter Leader
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Right To Work is wrong for workers
PUBLISHED: June 5, 2008
Right To Work states see a lower standard of living and is detrimental to state economies. That's the message that was delivered by Brent Gillette, Michigan field mobilization director for the AFL-CIO at the May meeting of the Western Washtenaw Democrats.
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"Right To Work is not good for our workers, and it's not good for our state," Gillette said. "It really should be called 'Right To Work For Less' because it lowers everyone's standard of living."
Gillette said that other states that have adopted Right To Work (RTW) statutes have seen a decline in wages and benefits for workers.
"Right To Work laws have brought about lower wages across the board," he said. "They have reduced benefits for all workers, net loss of jobs and loss of factories and other businesses."
The presentation included comparisons of yearly salaries in non-RTW regions against those with RTW laws on the books. Teachers, for example, in the east and north central region of the country (that do not have RTW laws) earn on average $49,916 a year. Their counterparts in the western and northern central part of the country that have RTW laws earn on average $39,164. The national average for teacher's salaries is $47,602.
Overall, in Michigan, the average yearly earning is $39,443. The average yearly earning in RTW states is $31,632.
"Right To Work really means 'Right To Work for Less', Gillette said. "It adversely impacts all aspects of an economy, not just wages. Social services are overwhelmed when people's benefits are reduced, and poverty rates actually are higher in states with RTW laws.
The percentage of population without health insurance is 13.4 percent in non-RTW states. In Michigan, it is 11.6 percent while in Right To Work states, the number of people without health insurance is 15.4 percent.
Gillette also cited statistics from the U.S. Bureau of the Census 2006 which found the state poverty rates in non-RTW states is 11.9 percent. In Michigan, that figure was 12.3 percent. In states that have Right To Work laws on the books, the number jumps up to 13.8 percent which is higher than the national average of 12.6 percent.
Gillette said the Right To Work bills that are in the Michigan legislature are currently stalled, but they are not dead.
"We expect them to be brought forth again in the future," he said, "and we will continue to fight against them. The workers of the state of Michigan will be far better off without these regressive laws."
Rich Robinson is the communications director for the Western Washtenaw Democrats.
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