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More Kentucky Counties Getting Behind the Right-to-Work Movement

Lisa Autry

Butler County is joining the growing list of Kentucky counties passing or considering right-to-work laws. 

On a vote of 4-1, the fiscal court voted gave preliminary approval to a local ordinance this week.  Butler County Judge-Executive David Fields said the measure wasn’t a vote against unions.

"I don't think anyone on our fiscal court voted for it to be against a union," Fields told WKU Public Radio.  "They were advised that this was something we needed to do to help get industry in here.  I think that was the total thing they looked at on the vote."

The vote came despite a lawsuit against Hardin County for passing a similar right- to-work law, which makes it illegal for employers to require their workers to join a labor union.  A final vote on the Butler County ordinance is scheduled for February 23. 

Butler joins Logan, Adair, Whitley, and Rockcastle counties in passing ordinances on first reading.  Six counties have so far taken final votes on right-to-work laws.  They include Warren, Simpson, Todd, Fulton, Hardin and Cumberland counties.

Lisa is a Scottsville native and WKU alum. She has worked in radio as a news reporter and anchor for 18 years. Prior to joining WKU Public Radio, she most recently worked at WHAS in Louisville and WLAC in Nashville. She has received numerous awards from the Associated Press, including Best Reporter in Kentucky. Many of her stories have been heard on NPR.