Supporters of right-to-work laws have had a hard time passing legislation in Kentucky through the Democrat-controlled House and governor’s office.
But if Republican candidate for governor Matt Bevin is elected, the House’s slim eight-person majority would be the only thing standing in the way of the legislation, which would forbid unions from demanding dues from its members as a condition of employment.
Kentucky AFL-CIO President Bill Londrigan called Bevin a “Scott Walker clone,” comparing him to the Wisconsin governor known for anti-union politics.
“Right to work laws really undermine the ability of all workers to have a decent standard of living by undermining the ability of unions to negotiate effective contracts," Londrigan stated.
Right-to-work legislation was the Republican-led Senate’s top priority in the 2015 General Assembly. The body passed the measure in the first days of the session.
Earlier this summer, Governor Steve Beshear said the policy would do nothing to bring jobs to the state, calling it "artificial political issue.”
