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What I've Been Reading This Week: Right to Work Edition


With the recent passage of the Right to Work Act in Wisconsin this week, I wanted to focus this post on the Right to Work Act, not just in Wisconsin, but around the country.  I found a few articles that I think readers will enjoy taking a look at, given that this issue will likely be in the forefront for a while (especially if/when Governor Scott Walker decides to run for President in 2016).

As always, below are a few articles that caught my eye this week.


New Mexico's Push to Pass Right To Work Legislation

Earlier this week, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker signed into law a piece of legislation which makes Wisconsin the 25th Right to Work state.  This was significant, given the impact it will have on labor unions in the state.  With the signing into law of that legislation in Wisconsin, there is an increased focus on other states which are attempting to pass similar Right to Work Acts, namely New Mexico.  This article has an intriguing look into the fight in that state and the Republican's push for passage of this legislation.


Wisconsin Becomes the 25th Right To Work State: Who's Next?

The Daily Signal has a very well written article that addresses the impact that Wisconsin's new Right to Work Act has on workers within the state as well as a look at other Right to Work states.  In particular, note the U.S. map at the start of the article which breaks down which states are Right to Work.  Interesting enough, a majority of the Northeastern and West Coast states have not passed any Right to Work legislation yet.  These union stalwarts, especially states in the Northeast, are not much of a surprise.  However, I think readers will enjoy looking at how the other 49 states deal with Right to Work legislation.


Wisconsin Passes Right To Work Legislation: A Closer Look

This article from The New York Times breaks down some of the finer points of Wisconsin's passage of the Right to Work Act earlier this week and explains how this legislation came about over a number of years in the state.  In particular, I wanted to highlight this article for readers to see how the tide is turning (slowly but surely) in the Midwest, as these once heavily unionized states have started to pass anti-union legislation in recent years.  There are still some states in the region that have not passed the Right to Work Act (or similar legislation).  However, as this article explains, sometimes it takes time to finally pass a piece of legislation like this into law. 

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