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Right to Work

Posted 10/26/22

Dear Editor,  

As I read Pat Marsh’s opinion as related to Right to Work and Amendment... 

One, there seemed to be something peculiar with the format and the wording of the …

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Right to Work

Posted

Dear Editor,  

As I read Pat Marsh’s opinion as related to Right to Work and Amendment... 

One, there seemed to be something peculiar with the format and the wording of the statements. So, I got out the Google machine took a couple or excerpts from the letter and put them in. Sure enough, Jon Lundberg, Senator from Bristol used several of the same sentences in his letter to the Bristol Herald Courier. I suspect this form letter will be copied, changed and used several times in the shape of Republican politicians’ letters to the editor - in favor of Amendment One between now and the election. 

Pat and Jon are both owners of their respective businesses. They are the management and do not work as an employee. Their role is to assure a profit for their business owners and shareholders. Whereas the role of a worker is to make a living for their family and themselves. Obviously, Pat and Jon and almost all of the Republican House and Senate members in Tennessee are in favor of Amendment One.  

On the merits of Pat and Jon’s opinion and letter, remember Amendment One does not repeal Right to Work. Tennessee is a Right to Work state, it is the law. Amendment One codifies Right to Work in the Constitution of the State of Tennessee. If Right to Work was to be repealed, it would take a massive effort once in the State Constitution.  

Right to Work allows an employee represented by a union, to not be a Union member or pay Union dues. An employee will receive all the benefits negotiated with their employer by a Union, even though they are not a member of the Union nor pay Union dues. For example, I am a member of the American Automobile Association (AAA); I cannot have a AAA contractor tow my car home unless I am a dues paying member of that organization. For all the organizations in which I am a member – I cannot receive the benefits of that organization without paying dues– but Right to Work allows an employee to receive all the benefits of a Union without paying dues. Once again, Tennessee is a Right to Work state, it is the law.  

An educated, trained and reliable workforce; infrastructure, mixed with economic incentives (including those by President Biden and the Democrats) is why Tennessee is experiencing a boom in manufacturing and specifically auto manufacturing. The new GM plants in Spring Hill and the new Ford Blue Oval complex in Haywood County are both Union. These manufacturing facilities will have good jobs with good benefits – the type of jobs that allows people to make a living.  

Several of our Tennessee employers, today are multinational corporations. Decisions that affect your wellbeing as an employee and your place of residence may be made by a board or individual in places far from Tennessee, such as Shanghai, Dubai, Frankfort, Tokyo or Seoul. Those decisions are made not with the employee or community in mind, but rather the shareholders of that corporate entity.  

Amendment One, if passed, will give your employer additional power over you as a worker. If passed it will be in the Tennessee Constitution. If you believe that your employer should be handed additional control over you as an employee, then vote yes. If not, No on Amendment One is the logical choice.  

Van H. Ayers Chair, Bedford County Democratic Party