In a panel to discuss the right-to-work legislation, professors and staff members discussed the effect the bill will have on unions and the public sector as well as myths most have about the legislation.
The right-to-work legislation prohibits employers from forcing unionization on its employees.
Pruis Hall played host to a right-to-work panel that included Bruce Reynolds, a retired Borg Warner Automotive worker.
"Right to work won't affect me because I won't stop paying my union dues," Reynolds said.
This viewpoint was the consensus of the night. When asked why the panel did not contain members of the opposing view, moderator Peggy Shaffer said they had invited several people of the opposite opinion, however every one of them declined.
"It is creating more heat than light," James Connolly said, opening the night.
In his opening explanation, the professor of history stressed that unions are a source of power for the ordinary worker.
The panelist devoted a significant part of the night to expelling myths most have about unions and right-to-work legislation.
"Negotiations aren't just about wages, they are more often about workers benefits," said Penny Layman, steelworkers union member and panelist.
She then explained that while wages are what most people think labor unions are interested in, most of her experience is based in fighting for workers' benefits and proper workplace safety.
Connolly added his opinion to this issue by saying U.S. worker benefits are double or triple the cost as they are in one of our closest neighbors, Canada. He related this excessive cost to the cost of health care.
The myth of unions protecting the jobs of unsatisfactory workers was a second issue the panel attempted to dismiss.
"There are those who are just poor workers," Layman said.
Opponents of union labor have claimed unions allow a worker to do poor work without repercussions, protected with union support.
Reynolds explained how outsiders could perceive a union as protecting a poor worker.
"Unions used to fight for every worker [including the poor worker]," Reynolds said. "However, now there has to be a violation of workers' rights."
Reynolds went on to say the company, not the union, is responsible for addressing grievances regarding productivity. The union is only responsible when a worker's rights are overstepped.
Shaffer interjected her opinion by saying, "It is better for a bad worker to keep their job than a good worker to lose theirs."
Connolly was quick to rebuttal with "the United States is still the most productive country in the world."
Rounding out the night, the panelists said in their collective opinion that right-to-work legislation is about getting a service for free.
Layman likened the practice to expecting to keep your electricity on while refusing to pay the bill.
"Right-to-work isn't about workers' right to work, it is about receiving a service for free," Layman said.
Read More
The eyes and ears of the David Owsley Museum of Art
By Madelyn Bracken / 2 days agoThe David Owsley Museum of Art (DOMA) doesn’t only house art. For many Ball State University students, it houses opportunity. Graduate and social media assistant, and former DOMA intern and guard, Taylor Hamblin spent the past two years working at the museum surrounded with possibilities to further her career while at Ball State.
Center for Peace offers academic opportunities
By Meghan Braddy and Grayson Joslin / 3 days agoOver the years, the center has offered a peace studies minor, conflict resolution training and grant funding.
AP: New York appeals court overturns Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 conviction
By Staff Reports / 3 days agoNew York’s highest court on Thursday overturned Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction, finding the judge at the landmark #MeToo trial prejudiced the ex-movie mogul with “egregious” improper rulings, including a decision to let women testify about allegations that weren’t part of the case, according to the Associated Press (AP).
