INDIANAPOLIS, Nov. 22 (UPI) -- Hundreds of union members protested in Indiana Tuesday against a "right-to-work" measure backed by Republican state lawmakers.
The protests came a day after House Speaker Brian Bosma, R-Indianapolis, and Senate President Pro Tempore David Long, R-Fort Wayne, said their top legislative priority would be making Indiana the 23rd state with a so-called "right to work" law.
The legislation, which would forbid companies and unions from negotiating a contract requiring non-union members to pay fees for representation, has drawn criticism from unions, which label it the "right to work for less" bill and say it would lead to lower pay.
Bosma, Long, Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels and the Indiana Chamber of Commerce have argued some employers will not consider locating in a state that doesn't have a right-to-work law, the Star said.
Some protesters carried signs reading "I oppose punitive legislation" and "Hoosiers want union lifelines. Not state bread lines."
Spencer Devaney, a 47-year-old Speedway man who is a member of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and works at a city of Indianapolis garage, came to the Statehouse to oppose the legislation.
"It scares me to think that if I lose anything else at this time ... I don't know how I actually would take care of my two teenagers," he said. "I'm barely getting by now. It scares me to honestly believe that they could keep taking away from me."
Union protesters showed up regularly last year to fight right-to-work legislation and other measures, and Democrats left the state to prevent GOP lawmakers from voting on a right-to-work bill.
