Thomas Molitor
There is a growing body of evidence showing that right-to-work (RTW) states enjoy faster economic and employment growth than non-RTW states. There are 22 states in the union that have adopted RTW laws, and New Mexico is not one of them.
“Right-to-work” laws ban the practice of requiring union membership as a condition of employment. This right is assured by Section 14(b) of the Federal Labor Management Relations Act (better known as the Taft-Hartley Act) of 1947. Since 1947, 22 states have adopted RTW laws.
Between 1995 and 2005, private-sector jobs in RTW states increased by a net 20.2 percent. That’s a 79 percent increase over private-sector jobs experienced by non-RTW states over this period.
Right-to-work states allow citizens to decide whether they want to join a union and prohibit discrimination against those who don’t. By ensuring membership in unions as voluntary, RTW has allowed companies in RTW states such as our neighbor, Texas, to attract and retain companies that create good jobs at a much faster pace than New Mexico.
Am I building an anti-union argument here? No, quite the contrary. What could be more fundamental than the freedom to associate with other men and women, or not to associate, as each man and woman’s conscience and reason dictates?
Of course unions should be allowed to exist, as long as they are voluntary agreements between people involved. In fact, we don’t need more regulations on unions and on employers and employees. We need fewer regulations on the kinds of employment agreements people can reach, and allow people to choose whom they wish as their representative, if they so choose.
Freedom of choice is a far better system. If a worker feels the union can represent them and they agree with the politics (or do not care), they are free to join the union. Likewise, an employee can choose not to join a union at all.
In fact, a freer market will open up, giving employees a choice of which union will best represent their interests with the dues they pay.
But at every stage the agreements should be voluntary. Employees should be free to join or not to join, and employers should be free to bargain with unions or not. Let freedom of choice and a more competitive market sort out value. The free and open market, not the heavy, restrictive hand of the government, will determine the best employment atmosphere, allowing for maximum freedom for employers and employees.
As it happens, right-to-work states have higher disposable income and faster economic growth. They create more jobs, and have more income equality and lower poverty rates than non-RTW states.
For these reasons, I am strongly in favor of New Mexico becoming a right-to-work state.
As always, the principle of liberty and freedom will provide the maximum number of opportunities and options for New Mexicans in determining their destiny.
Molitor is a Republican candidate for the state House of Representatives, District 23.