Right-to-Work Sponsor: Goal is to Eliminate Unions

Mark Hounsell served in the New Hampshire state Senate from 1984 to 1988. As a sponsor of so-called right-to-work legislation, he understands — better than most — why it is being promoted and how it will impact New Hampshire’s economy.   

So what is the real reason this bill is being pushed so hard by its supporters? The truth is the bill has nothing to do with a person’s right to work and it has everything to do with eliminating the right for workers to collectively bargain. The truth is the reason for its enactment is to eliminate unions.

I maintain the bill is about union busting from personal experience. In 1985 as a member of the Senate I sponsored right to work legislation. My sponsorship provided me access to the intents and strategies of the Virginia based National Right to Work Committee. The NRW committee believes that if it can pass certain provisions state by state it will effectively cause the demise of unions nationwide.

Labor unions have served New Hampshire’s middle class well. It has been union initiatives that produced a 40-hour work week, overtime pay, vacations and holidays, sick days, safe workplaces, health benefits, retirement and pensions and many other worker benefits. To weaken unions is to weaken New Hampshire’s economy and weaken our middle class.