NH Works Now; Why Change it?" 1985 Union-Leader editorial AGAINST RTW @unionleader #rtw #nhhouse #nhpolitics

"NH Works Now; Don't Change it"
1985 Union-Leader editorial AGAINST RTW

One of the most unnecessary bills before the Legislature is House Bill 5-97. Called the "right to work" bill, it is also the most misnamed. It should be called the "right to bust unions" bill, the "right to freeload" bill, or the "right to low pay" bill. New Hampshire is known as a good place to live and a good place to work, so why make changes? Business keeps coming into the state, our work force grows, and our unemployment drops. , So~ evidently, the threat of unions isn't scaring off industry. Only about 20 percent of our labor force are union members. There are many more happy, well-respected working people in New Hampshire than there are in some, of the southern' 'right to work" states, and their businesses down there aren't doing that much better, if at all. Those who support the bill in the name of freedom of choice have forgotten freedom of voice. The team of employer-employee is what makes a business succeed and we wonder at the justice of denying part of that team the chance to speak for themselves. A new worker accepts the benefits of decent wages and conditions and we see little wrong in his or her support of whoever made that possible. He also accepts the regulation of company rules and those rules don't deny him freedom any more than the rules of union membership. We would rather be part of an organization that respects the rights of all and we can speak from experience. The Union Leader has a fine team of five unions and we have had some good, healthy disagreements. However, we would hope that the success of this company is the mutual aim of management and labor here. We may represent different personal interests, but we couldn't get the paper to your door without the efforts of all of us. . For those who say that big 'union bosses can be bad, there have been bad managers as well. It's like throwing out the baby with the bathwater to condemn all for a few bad actors. If you want to talk about political influence, we ask just how well big-union-supported Walter Mondale did in 1984? Those who want the "right to work" bill in New Hampshire are, we suspect, hypocritical in claiming to defend the rights of the common man. They seem more interested in punishment for political reasons or in putting the working men and women in their "place." They show little interest in preserving New Hampshire’s healthy business and industry climate for the welfare of all. It works. Why change it?