MANKATO, Minn. -
The Right To Work constitutional amendment being proposed by Minnesota Republicans could create a lot of controversy, if it follows the experiences of other states that have passed similar measures.
The proposed amendment seeks to make it tougher to unionize by allowing workers to refrain from joining a union or paying dues.
Republican supporters call it Right To Work, and tout its record in 23 other states, attracting corporations from outside the state looking for cheaper labor costs.
Rep. Steve Drazkowski (R-Mazeppa) says, "This initiative gives Minnesota a chance to change the direction of the door hinge, brining jobs into the state, rather than driving them away from our state."
But DFL opposition considers it union busting, and have their own name for the law.
Rep. Terry Morrow (DFL-St. Peter) says, "The right to work for less - what we've seen in states where this occurs, everyone's incomes go down."
They also disapprove of the legislative route Republicans are taking.
Rep. Kathy Brynaert says, "The whole effort to bypass the executive through constitutional amendments - I personally think it undermines representative democracy. There's an appropriate role for constitutional amendments, but it is not to bypass the executive."
After the Republican wave in 2010, Right To Work legislation has exploded throughout the country, as the new Republican legislatures looked for solutions to the ailing economy.
And it looks like the battles of Wisconsin, Ohio and Indiana over the law will now spread to Minnesota.
Rep. Morrow says, "What do we do to help the workers retrain, what do we do to help employers ship goods and get around the state - it's roads, it's bridges it's rail it's education - it's not this conservative think thank bills that are being cookie-cuttered around the country. These will not help our economy."
If the Minnesota GOP has their way... voters will decide in November.
