Gov. Dayton strongly opposes to ‘right to work’ proposal

If there was any doubt how Gov. Mark Dayton feels about the Republican plan implement "right to work'' legislation, the governor said Friday morning that he strongly opposes it in Minnesota, according to the Star Tribune.

On Thursday, GOP State Sen. Dave Thompson and GOP Rep. Steve Drazkowski held a press conference to introduce and publicize a proposed anti-middle class “right to work” constitutional amendment that would force union workers to pay for their non-union co-workers’ representation. Rep. Drazkowski frequently mentioned “employee freedom” while introducing the proposed “right to work” amendment.

"Employee freedom? Freedom to work for substandard wages?” Dayton was quoted asking at a fundraiser Friday morning. “Look at the states that have ‘right to work’ and compare their salary wage levels with states that don’t."

Workers in “right to work” states earn an average of $5,300 less each year than those in states without "right to work" laws. The national cookie cutter legislation is being promoted by pro-corporate legislators in Minnesota. Working in a “right to work” state also means paying higher health care premiums and the end of workplace protections. Go here for MAPE’s statement on “right to work”: Amendment will lower quality of life, harm middle class

Earlier this week, Senate Republicans characterized Ellen Anderson as “extreme” when they were rejecting her as the chair of the Public Utilities Commission.

“Who is extreme? Who’s extreme?" Dayton was quoted as asking. "Right to work, come on folks. We’ve had Republican legislatures and Republican governors, and nobody’s ever run that one up to try to get a constitutional amendment ...”