Dupage Policy Journal

U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley (D-IL) gave a speech on the House floor Thursday, urging his colleagues take a stand against right-to-work laws, as well as to support the right to organize, have a safe job and receive a fair wage.

Quigley said that, despite the gains championed by unions, there is a recent push against them.

"Yet for all the good that unions have done to empower all workers across this country, there has been a recent revival in the war against them," Quigley said. "And the weapon of choice has been the right-to-work laws. Don’t be fooled by the name. The only thing right-to-work laws do is unfairly allow free riding workers to benefit from union negotiated contracts without having to contribute their fair share in the fight."

Quigley also said that if half of Illinois counties adopted right-to-work laws, the state's annual economy would decrease by $1.5 billion and labor income by $1.3 billion, while racial and gender inequality would also increase.

"Instead of focusing on attacking unions and middle class workers, governors should focus on fixing their broken budgets and investing in their schools, public safety programs and transportation systems," Quigley said. "That’s the real recipe for economic success. So, let’s stand up against right-to-work laws and stand up for the right to organize, the right to a safe job and the right to a fair wage."