Repeal KY RTW
KY General Assembly
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Restore the Voice of Kentucky Workers! ✊
For nearly a decade, Kentucky’s "right to work" laws have tilted the scales against working families—lowering wages, weakening benefits, and making our workplaces less safe. But we have a chance to change that. SB 161 and HB 585 have been introduced in the General Assembly to repeal these unfair laws and restore real bargaining power to the people who keep the Commonwealth running.
It’s time to stop the "free rider" era and rebuild a Kentucky where hard work is met with fair pay and shared responsibility. Add your name to our petition today and tell our legislators: Stand with workers, not corporate interests!
Sponsored by
To:
KY General Assembly
From:
[Your Name]
To: The Honorable Members of the Kentucky General Assembly
From: Concerned Citizens and Working Families of the Commonwealth of Kentucky
Petition to Restore Worker Power: Repeal "Right to Work" (SB 161 & HB 585)
We, the undersigned residents and workers of Kentucky, urge the Kentucky General Assembly to pass Senate Bill 161 and House Bill 585. These critical pieces of legislation would repeal the state’s "right to work" laws, restoring the rights of workers to organize effectively and negotiate for better lives.
Why This Matters to Kentucky Families
The 2017 "right to work" legislation was sold as a path to economic growth, but the reality for Kentucky’s working class has been far different. These laws are designed to weaken the collective voice of employees, and the data shows the consequences are clear:
Lower Wages for Everyone: Statistics consistently show that workers in "right to work" states earn significantly less annually than those in states with strong collective bargaining protections—affecting both union and non-union workers alike.
Reduced Workplace Safety: Strong unions are the primary advocates for rigorous safety standards. Weakening unions makes it harder for workers to demand the equipment and training they need to stay safe on the job.
The "Free Rider" Problem: Current laws allow individuals to benefit from the higher wages and benefits negotiated in union contracts without contributing to the costs of representation. This creates an unsustainable "shared responsibility" gap that undermines the stability of our workforce.
Restoring Fairness and Economic Balance
Passing SB 161 and HB 585 is not about politics; it is about rebuilding real power for workers. By repealing these laws, the General Assembly can:
Strengthen Local Economies: When workers have more money in their pockets, they spend it at local businesses, fueling a healthier economy for all Kentuckians.
Ensure Fair Representation: Unions will be able to focus their resources on advocacy and negotiation rather than fighting for survival against legislative hurdles.
Promote the Middle Class: Strong labor protections are the historical foundation of the American middle class. Restoring these rights is essential to narrowing the wealth gap in our Commonwealth.
Our Demand
We call upon our legislators to stand with working families, rather than out-of-state corporate interests. We demand the passage of SB 161 and HB 585 to repeal "right to work" and return the power of negotiation to the people who keep Kentucky running.