Indiana CWAers Attend Hearing, Prepare to Fight 'Right to Work' Bill

Perched in the balcony of Indiana's Senate chamber last week, CWA Local 4900 members listened intently and prepared for their next big legislative fight as Republicans called a "study hearing" on right to work (for less) legislation. CWA's activism during the legislative session earlier this year helped shelve the anti-union bill temporarily, but opponents knew the battle wasn't over.

The hearing sets the stage for a renewed fight in January, when the Indiana Legislature resumes work. Five Local 4900 members attended, and Vice President Jane Phillips said many other unions were also represented. Phillips said it was tough to sit quietly and listen to hours of testimony from Chamber of Commerce-backed speakers, but overall she came away from hearing feeling that it had gone well for workers.

"It's hard to listen when people aren't telling the truth, when they're attacking the middle class and directly attacking unions," she said. But when Democratic senators had their chance to cross-examine the speakers, "our legislators did such a great job. They were very prepared. I was very proud of the way they handled it."

Also impressive was the testimony of University of Oregon Professor Gordon Lafer, an expert on union issues and the propaganda used to sell misleading "right to work" legislation. Lafer introduced a rigorous study showing that workers in "right to work" states lose $1,500 on average in income, in addition to benefit cuts.

"Professor Lafer had all his facts and figures and he was able to refute the claims that the Chamber and its witnesses made," Phillips said. "We'll be armed with his information as we fight this terrible bill next year."