Business Manager Tony Sapienza
"Right-to-Work" defeated in NH House
Updated March 1, 2024 -- The so-called "Right-to-Work" bill died in the New Hampshire House thanks to support from union members across the Granite State. In late-February, the House voted 212 to 168 to "indefinitely postpone," HB1377-FN. This defeat comes after union members and allies delivered passionate testimony against the anti-worker legislation during two public hearings in Concord in early January and early February.
This renewed push for such harmful legislation comes from anti-union politicians and out-of-state special interest groups. Their objective is to cut wages and benefits for union members under the guise of "Right to Work" laws. Contrary to its name, "Right to Work" neither creates jobs nor enhances workers’ rights. It is deliberately designed to make it harder for labor unions to help workers negotiate with their employers for better pay and working conditions. It works by depriving unions of resources they need to organize and provide basic services to the workers they represent.
A second piece of anti-worker legislation, Senate Bill 516, has not had a hearing scheduled yet.
In 2021, union members played a key role in defeating similar legislation. In that victory, the New Hampshire House of Representatives soundly defeated “Right to Work” legislation by a vote of 199-175. That was followed by a 197-178 vote to indefinitely postpone the bill, effectively killing it until at least 2023.