Unions, Daniels duel on Indiana law

INDIANAPOLIS, Jan. 4 (UPI) -- A TV blitz is on in Indiana over a "right-to-work" bill that is heading for the state Legislature.

Gov. Mitch Daniels, a Republican, is featured in ads praising the bill, the Indianapolis Star reported. The new 60-second spot counters radio and television commercials put on by the Indiana AFL-CIO.

If the bill passes the Legislature, unions would be unable to collect fees from people in bargaining units who opt out of membership. Daniels says the measure would improve the climate for business in the state.

The Indiana Opportunity Fund, which was organized by Jim Bopp, a lawyer and member of the Republican National Committee, paid for the Daniels' commercials. Bopp said his group is not required to disclose the source of its funding.

The AFL-CIO commercials say they were "paid for by a working person like you." AFL-CIO officials say its member unions as well as non-member groups like the Teamsters and United Automobile Workers, put up the money.

The first committee hearing on the bill is scheduled for Friday.