Oklahoma Right-To-Work

June 2001 IBEW Journal

Members of IBEW from around the state of Oklahoma, including Locals 2021, 1141, and 1599, Oklahoma City, took part in a march and rally at the state capitol to oppose placing a ban on union security clauses on the ballot in 2002. But both houses of the state legislature have now acted and, after many years of success in stopping the legislature from outright enactment of right-to-work, Oklahoma trade unionists will have to fight the issue as a state ballot question next year. IBEW  Local 1141, Oklahoma City, supplied food and drinks for everyone at the March 13 rally, a crowd estimated at 3,000.

On March 14th, in spite of Labor protests, the Oklahoma  State Senate approved a measure 31-17 for a public referendum to place a right-to-work  provision in the state Constitution.

All eighteen Senate Republicans voted for the resolution. They were joined by 13 Democrats. Seventeen Democrats opposed the bill.

Voters will decide in a Sept. 25 election whether Oklahoma will become the 22nd state in the country to enact a right-to-work law.

IBEW CURRENTS

"National Right to Work" - for less! 

Representative Goodlatte (R-VA) has introduced H.R. 1109, a National Right-to-Work law.  IBEW opposes this type of legislative initiative because "right to work" amounts to nothing more than the "right to lower wages" or the "right to work for less." More about this bill in our Congressional Action Center under Issues and Legislation.

The Campaign for Worker Rights