Gov. Daniels signs right to work law

The Indiana Senate has passed controversial right to work legislation that would prohibit contracts that require union membership.

The House passed the bill last week after nearly a month of deadlock as Democrats protested the bill, calling it anti-worker and anti-union.

Republicans, including Gov. Mitch Daniels, said the bill encourages business to move to Indiana, which in turn creates jobs.

“RTW passes Senate. I will sign the bill as soon as it is finalized. Then to the Gov for signature. Already hearing from new employers,” House speaker Brian Bosma, R-Indianapolis, said on Twitter after the bill passed the Senate.

Pro-union protesters marched to Super Bowl Village and protested on Georgia Street, where they continued to voice their concerns throughout the day.

Protesters chanted phrases such as “No Super Bowl” and “We vote, we remember” before a rally outside the Statehouse. Union leaders said this is only the beginning of the fight against right-to-work and that they would continue to fight against the legislation in the coming months.

Daniels signed the bill into law today.

“Seven years of evidence and experience ultimately demonstrated that Indiana did need a right-to-work law to capture jobs for which, despite our highly rated business climate, we are not currently being considered,” Daniels said in a prepared statement. “This law won’t be a magic answer, but we’ll be far better off with it.”

— Charles Scudder