Marion delegate responds to WV right to work poll results

West-Virginia-PollMORGANTOWN, W.Va. — When lawmakers reconvene for the 2016 legislative session in January, proponents and opponents of right to work or open shop laws are expected to continue heated debate on the matter.

The MetroNews West Virginia Poll found 60 percent of likely West Virginia voters support such a law. The remainder was fairly evenly split with 23 percent against right to work laws and 17 percent undecided.  For complete poll results, click here.

State Senate Majority Leader Sen. Mitch Carmichael (R – Jackson) sponsored right to work legislation in this year’s session.

“That’s the fundamental right of America is the right of association and freedom. For those reasons, it’s self evident to me that we should all support the provisions of right to work or to associate with an entity,” Carmichael said.

Carmichael and Del. Mike Caputo (D – Marion) were guests on MetroNews “Talkline” with Hoppy Kercheval Tuesday following the release of the poll results.

Caputo, a top official with the United Mine Workers Union, argued annual wages in right to work states are on average $6,000 lower than states without open shop laws.

“Poverty rates in right to work states are much, much higher. Health benefits for workers in right to work states are much, much lower. And, guess what. Work place fatalities are about 54 percent higher,” Caputo said.

Carmichael said he will follow suit with lawmakers in 24 other states who’ve passed similar legislation and support the next bill to be introduced.

“In every one of those states, there are more jobs and the per capita income is higher. In West Virginia, when we have the poorest state in the nation, the fewest jobs, the least number of people working, why wouldn’t we do this,” Carmichael questioned.

A WV bill would have prohibited requirements for workers to be a union member as a condition of employment.

Caputo called it a ploy to take unions out of politics.

“This is nothing but a ploy to take away the one cushion that stands between corporate America to run rough shot over workers and divide and conquer the work place.”

Nationally, polls have revealed voters support right to work legislation by 71 percent.