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    Back to To the Point

    To the Point

    'Right to Work' Laws in an Election Year

    Under federal law, employees don't have to join unions, but labor contracts require that they pay for the representation that unions provide. "Right to work" laws say they don't have to pay any more. Democrats argue that weakens the power of unions. Republicans think corporations are better off.

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    By Warren Olney • May 12, 2014 • 1 min read

    Under federal law, employees don't have to join unions, but labor contracts require that they pay for the representation that unions provide. "Right to work" laws say they don't have to pay any more. Democrats argue that weakens the power of unions. Republicans think corporations are better off. This week Indiana became the twenty-third state where Republicans have prevailed. Why did Republican Governor Mitch Daniels change his mind? Will new companies locate in Indiana, a manufacturing hub surrounded by states that don't have "right to work" laws? Will wages and benefits be reduced? Will there be union protests in Indianapolis during Super Bowl weekend?

    The full episode

    2 of 3
    Is Indiana's 'Right to Work' Law Good for Indiana?
    1. 0:00Attorney General Faces Questions on 'Fast and Furious'
    2. 7:25'Right to Work' Laws in an Election YearYou’re reading this
    3. 42:38Susan G. Komen Decision on Planned Parenthood Sparks Backlash
    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/e23b2c8a5a7a4a05410f82a6104e445f/custom_thumbnail_large.png?h=250&fm=webp

      Warren Olney

      former KCRW broadcaster

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/e23b2c8a5a7a4a05410f82a6104e445f/custom_thumbnail_large.png?h=250&fm=webp

      Caitlin Shamberg

      KCRW

    • Sonya Geis with wavy brown hair wearing a black dress with red accents and decorative earrings against a white background.

      Sonya Geis

      Senior Managing Editor

    • KCRW placeholder

      Katie Cooper

      Producer, 'One year Later'

    • KCRW placeholder

      Mary Beth Schneider

      Indianapolis Star

    • KCRW placeholder

      Ed Roberts

      Indiana Manufacturers Association

    • KCRW placeholder

      Kenneth Dau-Schmidt

      Indiana University

      NewsNationalPolitics

    The full episode

    2 of 3
    Is Indiana's 'Right to Work' Law Good for Indiana?
    1. 0:00Attorney General Faces Questions on 'Fast and Furious'
    2. 7:25'Right to Work' Laws in an Election YearYou’re reading this
    3. 42:38Susan G. Komen Decision on Planned Parenthood Sparks Backlash
    Back to To the Point