Senate Democrats Condemn Passage of “Right to Work”
Contact Name: Marina Altschiller
Phone: (603) 271-3207
CONCORD – Today, 13 of the 14 Senate Republicans passed SB 61, so called “Right to Work” legislation, in a further effort to weaken earning potential and workplace protections for New Hampshire workers. Senator Sharon Carson (R-Londonderry), joined Democrats in opposing its passage.
After the vote, Senate Democratic Leader Donna Soucy (D-Manchester) and Senator Kevin Cavanaugh (D-Manchester) issued the following statements:
“When this bill was heard in committee, approximately 576 people registered their opinion on this legislation; only 12 of them were in support, and most of them were paid advocates working for out-of-state interest groups,” stated Senate Democratic Leader Donna Soucy (D-Manchester). “The people who testified in opposition were hardworking NH men and women. But, even if you support Right to Work—which I do not, and never have—this legislation is inherently flawed. I would think that proponents of this legislation would want to get it right, and they have seriously missed the mark with this bill. The legislature has rejected Right to Work nearly 39 times because it’s wrong for New Hampshire, and it still is today.”
Senator Kevin Cavanaugh (D-Manchester) added, “Passage of this bill will not only cripple collective bargaining, it will silence and disempower people in the workplace. “Right to Work” legislation has come before the New Hampshire legislature 39 times over the last few decades, and has been rejected every time, because New Hampshire residents from both political parties see it for what it really is: a blatant attack on the working men and women of our state. Today’s vote completely disregards the pleas we heard from over 100 Granite Staters who spoke at the committee hearing, urging us to do the right thing and reject this legislation. “Right to Work” has always been wrong for New Hampshire, and today’s vote speaks volumes to the majority’s indifference to the rights and protections of our workforce.”
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