State Senate blocks proposal to amend constitution including ‘right-to-work’ law
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — A state Senate committee effectively killed a proposal to amend the state constitution to include the state's "right-to-work" law. The Senate Privileges and Elections Committee voted 8 to 7 on a party-line vote against the resolution. "As a member of a union myself, the ALF-CIO, NFLPA -- unions are under attack today," said Democratic Sen. Aaron Rouse, chairman of the committee. "We see that from the new administration that [has] came in, we understand throughout the nation... union busting techniques are happening today." Ahead of the committee's vote, Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears was joined by Gov. Glenn Youngkin along with legislators, business leaders and attorneys in support of the resolution in a press conference. "We are pro-worker. We are not anti-union. Simple," Lt. Gov. Sears said, "At the heart of a worker's freedom is the ability for that worker to decide whether they join a union or not," Gov. Youngkin said in agreement. Under Senate Joint Resolution 271 or SJ271, the following language would be added to the state's constitution: Section 11-A. Right to work.That it is unlawful for any person, corporation, association, or this Commonwealth or any of its political subdivisions to deny or attempt to deny employment to any person because of such person's membership in, affiliation with, resignation from, or refusal to join or affiliate with any labor union or employee organization. "It prohibits discrimination against employees—whatever choice they make," explained Sen. Mark Obenshaine (R-District 2) who sponsored the resolution. Members of the committee asked Sen. Obsenshaine if the language presented was the same as the proposed constitution amendment question one on the election ballot in 2016, to which he said it was the same. Virginians ultimately voted in opposition to the measure. "Instead of the time being used to undo the will of Virginians, we should be using this time to actually effectuate bills and budgets that's going to uplift and help Virginia workers," said Sen. Jennifer Carroll Foy (D-District 33). Local union representatives and representatives were in attendance of the senate hearing Tuesday and weighed in one the matter. Brian Peyton, president of labor union Local Teamsters 322, quoted the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to express his opposition. "I find it disingenuous to say that this is pro-worker when the reality is, in Dr. King's own words, he said, 'in our glorious fight for civil rights we must guard against being fooled by false slogans such as right-to-work. It is a law to rob us of our civil rights and our job rights," he said. Though this resolution has been blocked in the Senate, two versions (HJ450 and HJ492 ) have been introduced in the House Chamber and await next steps. This is a developing story. Stick with 8News for updates.
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RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — A state Senate committee effectively killed a proposal to amend the state constitution to include the state's "right-to-work" law.
The Senate Privileges and Elections Committee voted 8 to 7 on a party-line vote against the resolution.
"As a member of a union myself, the ALF-CIO, NFLPA -- unions are under attack today," said Democratic Sen. Aaron Rouse, chairman of the committee. "We see that from the new administration that [has] came in, we understand throughout the nation... union busting techniques are happening today."
Ahead of the committee's vote, Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears was joined by Gov. Glenn Youngkin along with legislators, business leaders and attorneys in support of the resolution in a press conference.
"We are pro-worker. We are not anti-union. Simple," Lt. Gov. Sears said, "At the heart of a worker's freedom is the ability for that worker to decide whether they join a union or not," Gov. Youngkin said in agreement.
Under Senate Joint Resolution 271 or SJ271, the following language would be added to the state's constitution:
Section 11-A. Right to work.
That it is unlawful for any person, corporation, association, or this Commonwealth or any of its political subdivisions to deny or attempt to deny employment to any person because of such person's membership in, affiliation with, resignation from, or refusal to join or affiliate with any labor union or employee organization.
"It prohibits discrimination against employees—whatever choice they make," explained Sen. Mark Obenshaine (R-District 2) who sponsored the resolution.
Members of the committee asked Sen. Obsenshaine if the language presented was the same as the proposed constitution amendment question one on the election ballot in 2016, to which he said it was the same.
Virginians ultimately voted in opposition to the measure.
"Instead of the time being used to undo the will of Virginians, we should be using this time to actually effectuate bills and budgets that's going to uplift and help Virginia workers," said Sen. Jennifer Carroll Foy (D-District 33).
Local union representatives and representatives were in attendance of the senate hearing Tuesday and weighed in one the matter.
Brian Peyton, president of labor union Local Teamsters 322, quoted the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to express his opposition.
"I find it disingenuous to say that this is pro-worker when the reality is, in Dr. King's own words, he said, 'in our glorious fight for civil rights we must guard against being fooled by false slogans such as right-to-work. It is a law to rob us of our civil rights and our job rights," he said.
Though this resolution has been blocked in the Senate, two versions (HJ450 and HJ492 ) have been introduced in the House Chamber and await next steps.
This is a developing story. Stick with 8News for updates.
