Mark Mix, president of the National Right to Work Committee, has released the following statement regarding the Wisconsin State Assembly’s passage of a private-sector "Right to Work" bill by a vote of 62 to 35:
"No person should be forced to financially support a private organization they do not agree with as a condition of getting or keeping a job. Now that Wisconsin’s State Assembly has joined the State Senate in voting to expand workplace freedom for Wisconsin workers, we call on Governor Walker to act swiftly and sign the bill into law."
State Rep. Evan Goyke (D-Milwaukee) also released the following statement after his vote this morning against passage of Wisconsin’s "Right to Work" legislation:
"As the sun rose on Friday, I addressed the Assembly to voice (some) of my objections to Senate Bill 44, the so-called ‘Right to Work’ bill.
Senate Bill 44 is bad public policy, drafted in a rushed way. The bill criminalizes businesses that violate the new law. A business that violates ‘Right to Work’ will face up to 9 months in jail or a $10,000 fine or both. During debate on the floor, Republican members indicated they don't believe that criminal sanctions will be enforced ... yet they refused to eliminate them from the bill.
The penalties Republicans have approved are the same for battery, fourth degree sexual assault, prostitution and theft. In addition, Republicans could not answer how law enforcement would prosecute violations, nor how much those investigations, prosecutions and sentences may cost Wisconsin tax payers.
I was proud to stand with an overwhelming majority of my constituents in opposing ‘Right to Work’ and look forward to working on positive, bi-partisan legislation that helps all Wisconsinites."
UPDATE: In response to Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker’s signing of 'right to work' legislation today, Congresswoman Gwen Moore (WI-04) issued the following statement Monday:
"In the ongoing assault on Wisconsin’s working class, Governor Walker signed another crippling anti-worker bill into law. This so-called ‘right to work’ legislation is nothing but a bald-faced attempt by our Republican Governor and legislature to protect special interests at the expense of working class families. I am reminded of Dr. Martin Luther King who once said, ‘In our glorious fight for civil rights, we must guard against being fooled by false slogans, such as ‘right to work.’ It is a law to rob us of our civil rights and job rights.’
"During his re-election campaign, Governor Walker made numerous claims that he would refrain from pushing for such legislation in his new term. Instead of keeping that promise, Governor Walker once again broke his word and asked the Republican-controlled legislature to ‘fast-track’ their 'right to work' bill. In addition to hurting his already damaged credibility, this unprecedented move made it possible for Republicans to limit the amount of time available to opposition groups to organize against the bill. Limiting transparency and public dialogue with this approach goes against the fundamentals of our democracy and further exposes the Governor’s utter lack of respect for his constituents.
"Unions have been a vital source of economic strength for Wisconsin and the nation. They have given workers a collective voice to fight against unfair business practices by companies that prioritize profit over employees. While I am greatly distressed over the actions taken today by the Governor and state legislature, it only strengthens my resolve to continue our fight for fair treatment of the working class. As the backbone of our nation, our working families deserve better."
