Right to Work Resolutions Passed

Posted on Tuesday, January 03, 2012

NORTHEAST INDIANA - On the eve of the 2012 legislative session in the Indiana General Assembly, six Northeast Indiana Chambers of Commerce and six Northeast Indiana Local Economic Development Organizations have passed resolutions urging the Indiana General Assembly to pass Right to Work legislation in 2012.
“There is nothing more important that the Indiana General Assembly could to promote job growth in Northeast Indiana than passing Right to Work legislation,” said Matt Bell, Executive Director of the Regional Chamber of Northeast Indiana.  “Chambers of Commerce and Local Economic Development Organizations representing thousands of businesses in communities across Northeast Indiana are standing together to support the legislature’s efforts to make Indiana the nation’s 23rd Right to Work State in 2012.”
The Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce, the Chamber of LaGrange County, the New Haven Chamber of Commerce, the Wabash Chamber of Commerce, and the Wells County Chamber of Commerce joined the Regional Chamber of Northeast Indiana in introducing board resolutions supporting the passage of Right to Work legislation in 2012.
The Fort Wayne-Allen County economic Development Alliance, the LaGrange County Economic Development Corporation, the Economic Development Group of Wabash County, Wells County Economic Development, and the Whitley County Economic Development Corporation joined the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership in passing board resolutions in support of the passage of Right to Work.
“Right to Work is about opportunity.  Our communities have worked tirelessly to create a product that is attractive for investment.  They have created sites that are shovel ready, unique incentive packages, and regulatory practices that are pro-development and pro-growth,” said Bell.  “Yet, despite theses tremendous efforts, Northeast Indiana is eliminated from consideration for business attraction projects somewhere between 33-50% of the time before we even have the chance to compete based solely on the fact that Indiana is not a Right to Work state.  Our communities deserve the opportunity to compete for every job project.  When we have that opportunity, I am more than confident that we will win more projects and employ more folks in Northeast Indiana.”
“Right to Work is also about worker freedom.  All of us believe that the freedom to associate to associate is an inalienable right that should never be infringed,” said Bell.  “We also believe that the constitutionally promised freedom of association also guarantees people the freedom not to associate if they so choose.  Hoosiers should not be compelled to either join a union or pay commensurate fees in order to be employed.”
The General Assembly will meet for Organization Day tomorrow, and the legislative session will begin in earnest on January 4, 2012.  Constitutionally, the legislative session must end by March 14, 2012.
“This is an issue that stirs passions and vigorous debate.  When we sort through the rhetoric two issues remain: the freedom of Hoosier workers, and creating more opportunities to compete for good jobs in our community.  Tackling an issue of this magnitude is a wonderful demonstration of political courage.  The business community represented by these 12 organizations stand strongly in support of the passage of Right to Work,” said Bell.
“By mid-March, Indiana will have the distinction of being the first state east of the Mississippi River and north of the Mason-Dixon Line to be a Right to Work state,” said Bell.  “The leadership of Sen. Long, Speaker Bosma, and Governor Daniels coupled with the commitment of Representatives and Senators from across the state will create an environment that spurs investment and growth in an unprecedented fashion in Indiana.  These twelve Northeast Indiana organizations are committed to assisting in the passage of this important legislation in any way that we can.”   

Posted in Advocacy