By: Alayna Lynchard
MTN Reporter
February 2, 2022
This upcoming fall, on November 8, 2022, Tennessee citizens will vote on it’s Right-to- Work Amendment.
If voters affirm this amendment the state constitution will add a new section making it illegal for workplaces to require their employees to be a part of a labor union membership in order for them to be hired.
Currently, 28 states have Right-to-Work laws. This allows employees to have the choice
of whether or not they join a union without their chance of employment being affected.
It will also allow the workers to receive the benefits of being a member of a union without paying the fees to that said union.
Senator Brian Kelsey supports the amendment. He says it will prevent workers from being discriminated against based on their union status.
On the other hand, Senator Sara Kyle opposes the amendment. She believes the amendment will destroy the power of collective bargaining. Collective bargaining is the act in which working people in unions negotiate working conditions with their employer.
Supporters of the amendment claim recent polls show that most of Tennessee supports
the amendment. Justin Owen, supporter of the proposed amendment and executive committee member of the organization, “Yes On 1” said that right-to-work states benefit from higher income, employment and population growth.