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Senate Passes Right-To-Work
Jan 21, 2016
Thursday, January 21, 2016

WV Senate passes right-to-work on party line, as court decision looms

by David Gutman, Political Reporter

The West Virginia Senate passed a controversial “right-to-work” bill Thursday, by the barest of margins, just hours or days before a state Supreme Court ruling could switch the balance of power in the Senate.

With the Senate galleries packed with union opponents, and with the pending court decision leaving it unclear how much longer Republicans may run the Senate, the bill passed by a vote of 17-16 after more than 90 minutes of sometimes contentious debate. Every Republican voted yes, every Democrat voted no.

A decision from the state Supreme Court, on which party will get to fill a vacant Senate seat, is expected soon. A court ruling in favor of the Democrats would likely deadlock the Senate, blocking controversial legislation like the right-to-work bill.

Right-to-work laws, which are in effect in 25 other states, allow workers in unionized workplaces to opt out of paying union fees, even though the union must represent and negotiate for every worker.

Republicans argue that the laws are unfair to workers who don’t want to pay union fees and that passing the law will attract businesses to West Virginia.

Democrats argue that the laws are an effort to cripple unions and will lead to lower wages and more dangerous workplaces.

The bill next heads to the House of Delegates, where Republicans hold a sizable majority. If it passes there, Democratic Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin could sign or veto the bill.

Reach David Gutman at david.gutman@wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-5119 or follow @davidlgutman on Twitter.

- See more at: http://www.wvgazettemail.com/news/20160121/wv-senate-passes-right-to-work-on-party-line-as-court-decision-looms#sthash.loPeQ7NV.dpuf

Action Center

Donate to WV Children's Home Society
For many years, the members of this Local Union have contributed to and raised money for a local charity, West Virginia Children’s Home Society. CHS provides food and toys to families in need throughout West Virginia. Through generous donations, we were able to deliver 2 tractor trailers and several SUVs loaded with food, general household items as well as toys to a CHS location in Charleston. They then distributed the items to hundreds of families in WV. It was our biggest year yet. We estimated with donations and discounts, we delivered well over $50,000 in food and toys. You can be a part of this great even this year by offering a monetary donation. Our members plan to shop for food/toys in December and your help is greatly appreciated. We guarantee 100% of donations goes directly to WV families. If you would like to learn more about Children’s Home Society of West Virginia, please visit www.childhswv.org.
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Teamsters Local 175
267 Staunton Avenue SW
South Charleston, WV 25303
  304-744-2193

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