A bill that caused a Democrat walkout more than a year ago is expected to come to a vote today.
The bill would prevent unions from writing contracts forcing workers to pay union fees. However, according to a study conducted by Ball State economist Michael Hicks, the influence it would have on the state's overall economy is minimal.
"I don't at all dispute the argument that economists and government officials made, that businesses will not look at Indiana because it's not a right-to-work state," he said, in an interview Sunday. "But … what causes firms to move is the education of the workforce and tax regulations. In that case, Indiana looks good."
The two-year old issue, which stems from nearly a century of debate, has turned into political upheaval as Republicans, who have the votes in the Legislature to pass the law, spar with Democrats, who warn that passing the bill could make union companies in areas like steel and manufacturing less competitive.
"If you didn't have a union, you'd have no one to support you," said Jason Benson, a business representative for Sheet Metal Workers Local Union No. 20 in Indianapolis.
He's joined the hundreds, if not thousands, of people lobbying at the Statehouse to kill the right-to-work bill.
Their concerns aren't only economic, Hicks said. They're also financial. Democratic candidates often rely on contributions from unions, and if the bill were to pass, politicians could lose out on a big chunk of their funding.
THE REPUBLICAN RESPONSE
Holly Gillham, chairwoman of Ball State's College Republicans, said she thought the legislation was a positive step for Indiana.
"Right now, Indiana gets cut out of a lot of economic development because corporations are afraid to invest here," she said.
A push to eliminate forced unionism would be appealing to companies looking to invest in Indiana, she explained. She said students about to graduate have a large stake in the debate, as well.
She brought up the high unemployment rate as a reason why the right-to-work bill should be passed.
"I'd hate to see an opportunity to bring jobs to Indiana lost," Gillham said. "We have a high unemployment rate here and this would do something about it."
Freedom to choose is another aspect of the current policy that Gillham doesn't agree with.
"Unions can provide a lot of benefits, but if people don't want to be a part of that, they shouldn't have to."
SUPPORT FOR UNIONS
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 10.9 percent of Hoosiers were part of a union in 2010, the most recent year for which information is available. In the last 10 years, membership has declined in Indiana and around the country from about 13 percent to 11.
For example, Muncie Democratic City Council member Mike Jones said there are no more local branches of United Auto Workers in Muncie. The only AUW locals are groups that represent retirees.
Labor unions, a phrase that might elicit thoughts of coalmine towns and corporate factories, can offer significant gains for the people they serve.
Sophomore Shayne Miller said he's thankful for the union at Printpack in Greensburg, Ind., where his father worked until he was laid off about a year ago.
"The company was trying to lower their pay," he said. But the union helped workers maintain decent wages.
The natural resources and environmental management major said his father recently got a new job with a company that makes plastic bags for companies like Wal-Mart.
Some companies require their employees to contribute part of their paycheck to a union. For some, that's not a bad gig. Becky Liston, a sophomore premed and biology major, said the union stepped in a few times when her older brother got in a pinch.
With Indiana's unemployment hovering at 9 percent, Benson, a representative for sheet metal workers, said he's worried about how the RTW bill might affect Hoosier families.
"When we get paid, we buy clothes for our kids. You put gas in your cars," he said. "When you get it, you spend it. We're no different. Indiana's not going to benefit from [right-to-work]."
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