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Montana AFL-CIO warns against right-to-work bills, backs broad tax discussion to shore up schools
Summary
A guest identified on the program as an AFL-CIO executive said Montana labor opposes proposed right-to-work measures and the group will defend workers' compensation and education funding; the guest also said the labor movement is open to addressing property-tax problems through broader revenue reforms including sales tax discussion.
A Montana AFL-CIO executive told listeners on a Missoula radio program that the state labor movement opposes right-to-work proposals and will defend workers' compensation, public education funding and other benefits during the legislative session.
The executive, identified on air as Eric, described two right-to-work drafts introduced this year — one targeting public employees and a second that would apply to all workers — and said their passage would weaken unions and reduce living standards. "The practical effect of that passage of that legislation is a weakening of the labor movement, a weakening of the unions, and a subsequent reduction in the living standards of all workers," Eric said.
Eric said federal law requires unions to represent all employees in a bargaining unit equally and that right-to-work measures would shift costs to non-union members. He said the Montana Labor Movement also opposes a sales tax and will engage to protect workers while acknowledging the state must solve property-tax issues. "The Montana Labor Movement stands in adamant opposition to the passage of a sales tax in our state," Eric said, but he added the state needs a balanced approach to raise adequate and equitable revenue.
Why it matters: the guest framed right-to-work measures and any major tax change as central to wages, benefits and the funding of public schools and local government services.
Numbers and organizational details given on air: Eric said the association has about 10,000 members and an annual association budget "a little less than $3,000,000." He said two right-to-work drafts were under consideration and that one of the gaming-regulation bills (discussed elsewhere on the program) had passed the Senate and would be heard in the House.
Formal actions referenced: two right-to-work drafts were described as introduced; no on-air legislative votes on those bills were reported. Eric said he would be present in Helena during the session to advocate for workers' interests.
Ending: listeners were told the labor movement would engage the legislature on multiple fronts, including workers' compensation reform, education finance and opposing unfunded mandates on local governments.
