Feb 22 Local News Unions File Court Challenge to Indiana “Right-to-Work” Law From the Associated Press: Union members are asking a federal judge to block Indiana’s new right-to-work law. International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150 says a suit filed today in U.S. District Court in Hammond that the right-to-work law violates the federal and state constitutions. The suit names Gov. Mitch Daniels, Attorney General Greg Zoeller […] By Rick Howlett Feb 22 Local News Unions File Court Challenge to Indiana “Right-to-Work” Law Rick Howlett
Feb 13 Local News Union Leaders Rally For Orchestra Musicians Dozens of union members rallied this morning in front of the Fund for the Arts offices in support of the Louisville Orchestra musicians. Orchestra players and management have been embroiled in a contract dispute for more than a year, and musicians have been idle since their last contract expired in May. Leaders of the AFL-CIO, […] By Rick Howlett Feb 13 Local News Union Leaders Rally For Orchestra Musicians Rick Howlett
Feb 8 Local News “Right-to-Work” Passions Linger as Daniels Holds Jeffersonville Town Hall Indiana’s recently-passed “right-to-work” bill was still on the minds of many Jeffersonville residents when Governor Mitch Daniels visited this evening for a town hall meeting and book signing at the public library. About two dozen union protestors stood outside the library holding signs during Daniels’ talk, which was briefly disrupted by chants that could be […] By Rick Howlett Feb 8 Local News “Right-to-Work” Passions Linger as Daniels Holds Jeffersonville Town Hall Rick Howlett
Feb 1 Local News Daniels Signs “Right-To-Work” Bill Into Law From the Associated Press: Indiana has become the first Rust Belt state to enact the contentious right-to-work labor law prohibiting labor contracts that require workers to pay union representation fees. Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels signed the bill today after it passed the Senate following weeks of discord that saw House Democrats boycott the legislature and […] By Rick Howlett Feb 1 Local News Daniels Signs “Right-To-Work” Bill Into Law Rick Howlett
Jan 18 Local News GOP Imposes Fines on Boycotting Indiana House Democrats Boycotting Indiana House Democrats are now facing fines of $1,000 per day for skipping legislative business over a labor bill pushed by the Republican majority. Most Democrats did not show up for two quorum calls this morning, prompting Republicans to impose the fines. The Democrats want the House to call for a referendum on the […] By Rick Howlett Jan 18 Local News GOP Imposes Fines on Boycotting Indiana House Democrats Rick Howlett
Jan 17 Local News Indiana House Democrats Again Delay Action On “Right-to-Work” Bill Democrats in the Indiana House are again delaying a action on a controversial “right-to-work” measure pushed by the Republican majority. The House was supposed to consider Democratic amendments to the bill today, including a proposal to allow voters to decide if the state should adopt the policy related to the collection of union dues. But […] By Rick Howlett Jan 17 Local News Indiana House Democrats Again Delay Action On “Right-to-Work” Bill Rick Howlett
Jan 16 Local News Indiana “Right-to-Work” Bill To Get Another Hearing This Week The Indiana General Assembly resumes Tuesday, with House lawmakers taking up a contentious labor bill. The Republican-led measure would prohibit unions at private companies from collecting mandatory union representation fees. The so-called “right-to-work” issue has prompted union demonstrations at the Statehouse and several days of boycotts by House Democrats. Democrats agreed to return to the […] By Rick Howlett Jan 16 Local News Indiana “Right-to-Work” Bill To Get Another Hearing This Week Rick Howlett
Jan 10 Local News Indiana House Panel Passes “Right-to-Work” Measure From the Associated Press: A panel of Indiana lawmakers has voted along party lines to move divisive right-to-work legislation to the full House of Representatives. The House Employment, Labor and Pensions Committee voted 8-5 this morning to advance a ban on contracts that require workers to pay union fees for representation. The panel’s Republican […] By Rick Howlett Jan 10 Local News Indiana House Panel Passes “Right-to-Work” Measure Rick Howlett
Jan 9 Local News Democrats Return to Indiana House Chamber Indiana House Democrats have ended their three-day boycott of the legislature over a contentious labor bill, but say they might not stay long enough to allow a final vote on the measure. House Democratic Leader Patrick Bauer made no mention during a floor speech of what party members might do next, but called on Republican […] By Rick Howlett Jan 9 Local News Democrats Return to Indiana House Chamber Rick Howlett
Jan 6 Local News “Right-to-Work” Bill Clears Indiana Senate Panel An Indiana Senate committee has voted 6-4 in favor of a controversial labor bill pushed by the Republican majority. The so-called “right-to-work” legislation would prohibit unions at private companies from collecting mandatory dues or fees. The vote by the Senate Labor committee came after a five-hour hearing. One Republican member, Sen. Brent Waltz, voted ‘no,’ […] By Rick Howlett Jan 6 Local News “Right-to-Work” Bill Clears Indiana Senate Panel Rick Howlett
Jan 3 Local News In Depth: Union Legislation Tops 2012 Indiana General Assembly Calendar The Indiana General Assembly convenes Wednesday for its short,30-day session. The calendar will be dominated by heated debate over the power of labor unions in the private sector. Listen to the story: “Making Indiana the 23rd ‘right-to-work’ state will be the top priority of the Speaker of the House,” Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma announced […] By Rick Howlett Jan 3 Local News In Depth: Union Legislation Tops 2012 Indiana General Assembly Calendar Rick Howlett
Dec 15 Local News Daniels Urges Lawmakers To Pass “Right To Work” Bill Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels has broken his silence on whether he wants state lawmakers to pass legislation that would prohibit companies from making the payment of union dues a condition of employment. Republican leaders in both chambers say they’ll introduce so-called “right-to-work” legislation in the 2012 General Assembly. The issue prompted a walkout by House […] By Rick Howlett Dec 15 Local News Daniels Urges Lawmakers To Pass “Right To Work” Bill Rick Howlett
Nov 22 Local News Indiana Legislature Holds Organizational Session Indiana lawmakers today held their organizational session in preparation for the 2012 General Assembly. Hundreds of union members chanted outside the House and Senate chambers in opposition to Republican-led legislation that would make Indiana a so-called “right-to-work” state, where workers would not be required to pay union membership fees as a condition of employment. […] By Rick Howlett Nov 22 Local News Indiana Legislature Holds Organizational Session Rick Howlett
Nov 21 Local News Indiana Lawmakers To Again Consider “Right-To-Work” Legislation The top Democrat in the Indiana House says Republicans are crushing job opportunities in the state with their push to pass a contentious “right-to-work” proposal during the coming legislative session. House Minority Leader Patrick Bauer’s comments came after Republican House Speaker Brian Bosma announced today that passing the proposal will be his top priority during […] By Rick Howlett Nov 21 Local News Indiana Lawmakers To Again Consider “Right-To-Work” Legislation Rick Howlett
Oct 13 Local News Council Passes Union Contract Exemption After an hour long-debate, the Louisville Metro Council approved an ordinance along party lines that exempts union contracts from being subject to mandatory financial reports. The legislation passed by a 16-9 vote with council Democrats voting in favor, arguing they were supporting public workers and all council Republicans against the bill, arguing the amendment blocks […] By WFPL News Oct 13 Local News Council Passes Union Contract Exemption WFPL News