After debating all night, the Wisconsin Assembly passed a right-to-work bill Friday which is designed to end mandatory union membership in the state.
The policy, which has passed in 24 states, outlaws forced union dues as a condition of employment. After a state version of the policy passed the Wisconsin Senate last week it was sent to the Assembly where representatives heard testimony from labor experts, union leaders and the public before voting 62-35 in favor of the legislation.
Mark Mix, the president of the National Right to Work Committee, praised the Assembly for moving the legislation to Gov. Scott Walker’s desk.
“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,” Mix told The Daily Caller News Foundation. “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.”
According to Bloomberg, the debate lasted 19 hours and was interrupted throughout the night from protestors who had to be escorted out by police. Labor unions and supporters have rallied outside the state capital for the past week, arguing the bill will hurt middle class workers.
“The effort to lower wages in America is going to reach new heights in Wisconsin this week,” AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka declared in a statement.
“Wall Street billionaires and political extremists are joining together to force a vote on Right to Work legislation which is wrong for Wisconsin hardworking families,” Trumka continued. “This is a blatant attempt to silence workers’ voices to stop us from speaking out about lower wages and mistreatment at work.”
Wisconsin Policy Research Institute (WPRI) found in a recent poll of Wisconsin citizens that the state overwhelmingly approves of the policy. The poll found 62 percent would vote in favor of such a law, 32 percent would not and 6 percent didn’t know.
According to Liberty Voice, Walker is expected to sign the bill on Monday.
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