William Helms: “Maybe one of these days Congress will pay attention to 80 percent of the people. Mr. President, the National Right to…”

“Maybe one of these days Congress will pay attention to 80 percent of the people. Mr. President, the National Right to Work Act stipulates that employers and unions may no longer force American workers to pony up union dues as a condition of keeping their jobs. It is about freedom, purely and simply. It does not discourage union membership. The National Right to Work Act merely says that unions have to garner their support the old-fashioned way--they have to earn it. Of course, there are those who suggest that this legislation is somehow antiunion, those who parrot the apocalyptic pronouncements of the AFL-CIO that this is union-busting legislation. Nothing could be further from the truth. I would suggest that those union bosses opposing the National Right to Work Act are insecure about their ability to earn the support of the workers they purport to represent. Opponents of the National Right to Work Act may also suggest that it is fair to require employees who enjoy the so-called benefits of union membership to share in their costs. Union leaders will complain that this Congress should not change this policy. Mr. President, union leaders, having bought the horse, are just complaining about the price of oats. Union bosses lobbied for and jealously guard the privilege of exclusive representation. They will not give it up.…”