Republicans try to Railroad Bill through Committee

United Steelworkers (USW) gathered with about 2,800 workers at the Indiana Statehouse to lend their support for state Democrats who are fighting right-to-work legislation. Democrats, who have not answered the call to bring the House into session, are angry at House Employment, Labor and Pensions Committee Chair Rep. Douglas Gutwein, who refused to allow any testimony, debate or Democratic amendments.

It took only six angry minutes for the committee to approve, on a party line 8-5 vote, sending the contentious bill to the full House. When the session was called, Democrats failed to come to the floor.

“The governor is allowing the muscling of a failed plan that will result in fewer jobs at lower pay in unsafe workplaces: ‘right to work for less, ’” said USW District 7 Director Jim Robinson. ““The Republicans are insinuating that they are giving this bill a full public airing, but they are actually railroading the political process against the wishes of the majority of Hoosier middle-class workers.