Union workers blast amendments
Several hundred public employees gathering inside the State Capitol today to voice their opposition to a constitutional amendment that would make union dues voluntary.
The proposed amendment known as "right to work" has languished since its initial Senate hearing two weeks ago. But Eliot Seide, executive director of AFSCME Council 5, urged his members during a rally to continue fighting against the proposal. Seide said "right to work" is an unnecessary attack on unions.
"We already have higher pay than the right to work states," Seide said. "We're already healthier. We have better education, and we're one of the top three states in quality of life. Sisters and brothers, this is a solution in search of a problem. We don't want to be in a race to the bottom to become Mississippi and Alabama."
Union leaders also spoke out against a proposed constitutional amendment to require a super-majority vote on future tax increases. That measure has also not made progress this session.
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