New Hampshire – Anti-Union Bill Defeated By Labor Coalition

A well-coordinated, aggressive campaign by AFSCME, the AFL-CIO and dozens of other unions and organizations led to the defeat of so-called right-to-work legislation designed to undermine union strength in the Granite State.

The labor coalition kept a constant vigil for six months, educating lawmakers and the public that the bill’s proponents’ real purpose was to break the power of workers. The measure would have prohibited collective bargaining contracts that require workers who are not members of a union to pay union dues or fair share fees for the representation they enjoy.

Supporters, including the corporate-funded American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), falsely claimed that some workers are forced to pay union dues. Currently, unions may charge non-member workers a reasonable ‘fair share’ fee, as they fully benefit from the wage increases and improved benefits and working conditions secured through union negotiations.

The state Legislature approved the measure, but Gov. John Lynch vetoed it. His veto was upheld in November.

“This is a great victory for New Hampshire’s middle class,” said Bobby Jones, vice-president of Local 3657 (Council 93). Jones was one of the many AFSCME members who kept watch at the Statehouse.

Council 93 Exec. Dir. Anthony Caso, also an AFSCME International vice president, lauded the work of the coordinated labor campaign. “Given the deceptive and well-financed message of right-to-work supporters, AFSCME members and the entire labor community did a phenomenal job,” he said.