TRENTON – “The New Jersey State AFL-CIO is extremely disappointed with Assembly members Handlin and O’Scanlon for sponsoring and introducing this type of radical legislation. We thank Speaker Oliver for her comments and for recognizing this as simply a way to weaken labor unions and negatively impact New Jersey’s middle class workers,” said Wowkanech.

The “New Jersey Right to Work Act” bill (A-4223) was recently introduced in the State Assembly by Assemblywoman Amy Handlin (R-13) and Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon (R-12). The bill would establish New Jersey as a “right to work” state and restrict the ability of unions to collect dues or establish conditions of membership. The deceptively named “right to work” policy is currently law in 22 states and is considered one of the most anti-union policies in the nation. 

The Associated Press today reported that Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver declared the bill “dead on arrival” and said “this anti-worker bill will never see the light of day.” 

A-4223 joins other radical anti-labor bills currently pending in the legislature. Examples include         A-3505 (Carroll / O’Scanlon / Bucco / Peterson) / S-2692 (Bucco), which repeals all prevailing wage laws; A-764 (DiMaio) which repeals Project Labor Agreements; A-1382 (Carroll), “paycheck deception” legislation and S-2039 (Bateman / Beck) / A-2954 (Bucco), which allows local governments to abolish civil service.