Right-to-Work and the Virginia Constitution

 

 

Musing About Right-to-Work and the Virginia Constitution

 

 

Back in 2016, Right-to-Work was on the ballot for a referendum in Virginia. The reason?

Republicans sought to enshrine it by including it in the Virginia Constitution.

It was defeated – and now they are ready for round two.

 

Right-to-Work

There is A LOT one could say about Right-to-Work. Indeed, I’ll recommend you read these articles, found on The Wealthy Ironworker, to start:

 

1. Right-to-Work Part 1

2. Right-to-Work Part 2: Financial Ramifications

3. Right-to-Work Part 3: Safety

There are plenty of others; for now, though, they will suffice for some background.

Just 9 years ago, the voters of Virginia voted against including Right-to-Work in the state constitution. You would think elected officials have more important things to do with their time and efforts – ESPECIALLY since their constituents voted against this measure.

You’d be wrong.

 

Why This Matters

 

There are a few reasons why this really matters to unions, workers, the citizenry of Virginia, and the United States overall.

First, it clearly demonstrates our elected officials do NOT represent constituents. If they did, they wouldn’t bring this up again. Virginians defeated this measure in 2016. But here we are, facing this again.

Why?

Because our elected officials actually represent corporations. Corporations like Right-to-Work, particularly because it’s VERY anti-union and seeks to defund unions – which represent workers. What’s more, according to Courthouse News,  “Republicans argue the right-to-work amendment is needed to attract businesses.”

I’ll note Virginia is Right-to-Work already; all adding it to the state constitution does is make it more difficult to get rid of it (Meaning, you include and remove things on the state constitution the same way: referendum).

This is a good time to segue into the second point of the economy of the American South.

Secondly, the economy of the American South is punitive to the American worker and a playground for corporations. Numerous companies in the American South not only enjoy “economic incentives” (WHICH IS NOTHING MORE THAN CORPORATE WELFARE), but many of them are also union in other countries!

What does that mean?

American taxpayers, via their elected officials, PAY corporations to come to their area, use the infrastructure, pay reduced/no taxes – passing the burden BACK to taxpayers, AND pay workers less!

 

How’s THAT for an economic model?!

 

The third reason this is important is to illustrate just how disingenuous and anti-union the legislation is.

“Right-to-work” sounds like something the average American would get behind; after all, shouldn’t we have a right to work?

The reality, however, is far more deceptive.

Virginia is NOT a closed shop state – meaning, employees already have a “Right-to-work,” as it were. What the legislation does is create “free-riders” (people who reap the benefits of everything unions have brought about while not paying their fair share) AND force unions to represent those same “free-riders” – even though they have chosen not to pay dues. Don’t miss that last part – it isn’t accidental; it’s intentional and shameful.

The intent is clear for anyone who can see the forest for the trees: the erosion of worker protection by attacking union funding. It’s really that simple.

 

What’s Next?

 

The vote in Richmond will take place in the next week or so, and afterward – depending on how the vote goes, one of two things will take place.

First, if it passes, a referendum will eventually take place. But first, it will let the constituents of Virginia know who exactly is anti-union because of their vote – including Democrats.

I am NOT one of those Democrat-only union members; indeed, I know there are labor-friendly Republicans – even if they don’t seem to exist in Virginia. However, it’s important to note that many Democrats court labor by pledging to be pro-union – but a vote in favor of this is anything but.

Second, if it fails, then labor gets another reprieve. If it feels like workers are always on the defensive, that’s because they are. If it isn’t corporations attacking worker’s rights, it’s the government.

Perhaps the most evident takeaway is that we do not have a government of, by, and for the people – what we have, is a corporate oligarchy.