Legislature gives voters opportunity to declare Alabama a constitutional Right-to-Work state

Mercedes-Benz's plant in Vance, Ala. (Photo: Carol M. Highsmith) — Mercedes-Benz’s plant in Vance, Ala. (Photo: Carol M. Highsmith)

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The Alabama Legislature on Thursday gave final passage to a bill to add “right-to-work” language to the state’s constitution, if voters approve the measure at the ballot box in November.

Right-to-work laws prohibit forcing employees to join a union and pay dues as a condition of employment. They do not, however, ban unions, as is sometimes alleged.

“The provisions of the amendment are simple,” explained William Canary, CEO of the Business Council of Alabama, which supports the amendment. “It further establishes Alabama as a right-to-work state with constitutional protections that prevent labor organizations from forcing employees to join. At the same time, the amendment prevents employers from denying union membership to workers who wish to join.”

The United Auto Workers union has long targeted Alabama’s booming auto industry for unionization. A vote to unionize the Mercedes plant in Vance was narrowly defeated in 2014.

If unionization of the Mercedes plant had been successful all workers would, by requirement of contract, be represented by the UAW, not just those who are union members. Right-to-work advocates say this caveat strips the rights of workers who wish not to be a member of a union, and silences their voices.

Unions were once widely viewed as a positive voice for workers who did not have the ability to stand up for themselves. But as workplaces became safer and wages more fair, unions started shifting from workplace representation to heavy political involvement to accomplish their goals. At only 7% of the private workforce, unions are now a shadow of their former selves, although they remain a powerful bloc in the Democratic Party.

Between the Mercedes, Honda, and Hyundai plants, Alabama has become a strong player in automotive manufacturing and the state’s right-to-work laws are often credited with having played a major part in that. As president and founder of Union Conservatives, Terry Bowman, stressed during a visit to Birmingham last year that UAW representation for Alabama’s auto manufacturers would not only be a blow to current jobs, but also to the state’s ability to attract new companies.

Several companies have cited Alabama’s status as a right-to-work state as a key reason they relocated to the state, particularly Airbus and Remington.

“Although Alabama and many other southeastern states are firm right-to-work states, labor unions have stepped up their efforts to organize industrial facilities across the region after experiencing recent successes that include Volkswagen in Tennessee and Golden Dragon in Wilcox County,” the Alabama House GOP Caucus said in a release. “Alabama passed one of the nation’s first right-to-work laws roughly 60 years ago, but House Republicans believe it is time to enshrine that employment protection in our state constitution.”