Indiana

Indiana Dems Restart Legislative Boycott To Stop 'Right-To-Work' Bill

Eric Kleefeld | January 10, 2012, 2:50PM

The Indiana State Capitol building in Indianapolis, IN.

Indiana Democrats are once again walking out of the state legislature, in order to tie up a "right-to-work" bill that would hinder labor unions.

The development came after a committee hearing Tuesday morning -- lasting only six minutes -- in which the majority Republicans voted to send the bill to the floor, and without hearing any debate or Democratic motions to amend the bill.

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Labor

Indiana Dems End Legislative Boycott -- For Now

Eric Kleefeld | January 9, 2012, 5:16PM

The Indiana State Capitol building in Indianapolis, IN.

Democrats in the Indiana legislature have ended their walkout of the state House, which was tying up a bill that would hinder labor unions. But they're not promising that they won't do it again.

The Indianapolis Star reports that Republican leaders now hope to hold two key votes: One on Thursday, on changes to the bill that were made in a special joint House/Senate committee last week, and a final vote on passage on Friday.

But state House Minority Leader Pat Bauer (D) is still not declaring defeat:

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Indiana

Indiana Capitol In Faceoff Over Labor Rights -- Again

Eric Kleefeld & Evan McMorris-Santoro | January 5, 2012, 5:08PM

The Indiana State Capitol building in Indianapolis, IN.

The Indiana legislature is grinding to a halt this week, as Democrats work to stall the Republican majority from passing a law restricting the power of private-sector labor unions.

The "right-to-work" law would go beyond the current crackdowns on public-sector unions, by forbidding private-sector companies and unions from negotiating a contract that would require the collection of partial union dues from non-members.

Starting Wednesday, and continuing into Thursday, the Indianapolis Star reports, the state House has been unable to gavel into a session -- and protesters have once again descended upon the building.

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