Activists, House Democrats So Far Stalling Indiana 'Right-to-Work'

GOP's Goal: Pass Anti-Union Bill Before City Hosts Super Bowl Feb. 5

CWA and other union members staffing a table in the Indiana statehouse have directed thousands of citizens to lawmakers' offices in the fight to stop a so-called "right-to-work" bill.

Below: CWA Local 4900 members were among hundreds of activists who donned NFL gear and marched last week from the statehouse to the stadium where Indianapolis will host the Super Bowl in two weeks.

Determined union members and Democratic lawmakers in Indiana are keeping the so-called "right-to-work" debate alive, denying Republicans the opportunity to pass the anti-union bill quickly and quell the controversy before their capital city hosts the Super Bowl in two weeks.

On Wednesday, Jan. 18, CWA and other union members filled the statehouse with chants of "Occupy the Super Bowl!" Union members and allies have been protesting inside the capitol and making hundreds of visits to lawmakers' office every day since the legislative session began Jan. 3.

The fight is focused on defeating the bill in the House, but activists say if necessary they will take their protests to the Super Bowl Feb. 5, and all the days of hype leading up to it.

With the National Football League Players' Association actively supporting the workers' fight and global media in town for the game, "It's an opportunity to highlight how inhospitable Indiana is becoming for working men and women," Indiana AFL-CIO spokesman Jeff Harris said.

Democratic House members continue to boycott daily legislative sessions, preventing a quorum and so far blocking the Republican majority from passing the bill. Republicans have voted to impose $1,000 daily fines on the 35 absent Democrats, who, in turn, have gone to court to challenge the GOP's attempt to withhold the fines from their paychecks.

Democrats continue to do other legislative work and have tried to resolve the "right-to-work" debate with proposals that include a public referendum on the issue. Polling shows that only one-third of Indiana voters support right-to-work, and an overwhelming majority, 71 percent, want a referendum.