Romano: Connecticut Needs Right to Work
In case anyone needed additional proof that our state is falling behind in far too many economic indicators, they got one this week when the Bureau of Labor Statistics released their annual Union Membership report. The report shows a drastic decline in union membership across the country, to the lowest level since the 1930’s.
Here at home, CT led the nation with the most change in numbers as a percentage, experiencing a 2.8% decline in union membership – falling from 16.8% to 14.0%. In addition, a recent look at the labor force data revealed that Connecticut has posted the largest decline in its labor force, both in absolute and relative terms, of all 50 states.
This is just the latest in a barrage of bad reviews and dead-last statistics the state continues to garner. Among our other “accolades” are being the worst state to retire in; having the worst credit quality rating; having a debt burden of $49,000 per taxpayer; and having the latest tax freedom day in the country.
Sadly, these numbers are yet another indication that the policies of Governor Malloy and the legislature are driving jobs out of CT.
Of course what the numbers always fail to convey is the human perspective. Too many families in this state are seeing job opportunities vanish because we do not have economic policies in place that encourage employers to come here and create jobs.
Now more than ever our state needs Right to Work to ensure that union membership is voluntary and to encourage more employers to come to CT and help us undo the failed policies of the current state leadership. Adopting Right to Work would set us apart as the first state in New England to offer such an incentive to both workers and employers. States that adopt Right to Work consistently see an increase in their employment numbers.
Something must be done to move CT from its place at the end of nearly every “best of” list. Adopting Right to Work would be a step in the right direction.
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