New Hampshire Workers Win
February 17, 2017
On Feb. 16, New Hampshire members of Congress voted 200-177 to kill a controversial, misnamed “Right-to-Work” bill, and to bar its reconsideration from the next legislative session.
So called “Right-to-Work” laws prohibit unions and employers from negotiating a “fair share clause.” The clause requires employees to pay a share of the cost for negotiations for workplace collective bargaining agreements and union representation for grievances. Brothers and sisters from unions across the state, along with many community allies, spent weeks talking to their legislators about the dangers of this bill.
APWU Grassroots Political and Legislative Coordinator Janice Kelble noted that New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu made it clear that passing a “Right-to-Work” law was one of his major priorities.
“Facing an uphill battle with a 50-seat Republican majority in the House of Representatives, we were able to once again defeat the anti-worker legislation by working together,” Kelble said.
APWU members participated in public hearings / meetings about the legislation.
"Special congratulations to the APWU New Hampshire State President, Dana Coletti, Grassroots Coordinator Janice Kelble and the officers and members in New Hampshire who made this victory possible," said APWU Political & Legislative Director Judy Beard.