Senate To Take Up RTW Monday

(Indianapolis, Ind.) - A final vote in the Indiana Senate is expected early next week on right to work legislation. 

After House Bill 1001 passed the House on Wednesday, the only possible roadblock to the bill remains in the Senate. However, Senate President Pro Tem David Long (R-Fort Wayne) does not anticipate any problems.

“There shouldn’t be much to talk about. It should be a fairly smooth process,” Long said.

Democrat Senate leader Vi Simpson (D-Indianapolis) is calling the fast-tracking of right to work legislation shameful. 

“I think there’s an effort to shut down debate and dissent and to get these people out of the Statehouse, and that’s too bad,” said Simpson.

The Senate previously passed its own version of right to work earlier in the session on a 28-22 vote. Long said the House bill will be brought up on Monday.

If it passes the Senate, HB 1001 would go to the desk of Governor Mitch Daniels.

WISH-TV in Indianapolis reports U.S. Vice President Joe Biden tried to call House Minority Leader Pat Bauer (D-South Bend) on Tuesday before the vote in the House to support a Democratic walkout, but Bauer refused to take the call having decided to be in session.

Indiana is poised to become the 23rd right to work state in the nation. Such laws prohibit companies from forming agreements with unions requiring non-union employees to pay a fee for registration.

Republicans have maintained the law will help bring more business to Indiana, giving it a competitive edge over its four neighboring states which do not have right to work laws on the books.

Democrats have dubbed it “right to work for less,” arguing it will drive down wages.