The GOP-controlled New Mexico House of Representatives has approved a contentious right-to-work bill that tacks on an increase in the minimum wage from $7.50 to $8 an hour. The Republican-sponsored bill prohibits requiring workers to pay dues as a condition of employment and applies to both public and private sectors.
Opponents note that those dues pay for employee representation, including contract negotiations. Unions are required by federal law to represent employees following a vote for union representation. So, the bill could effectively force unions to represent some covered employees for free.
The House voted 37-30 Wednesday to move the bill along to the Senate, where it faces resistance.
Democratic leadership says it is united in stopping right-to-work legislation in the Senate, where Democrats have a majority.
Federal data shows about 43,000 workers in New Mexico were members of unions in 2014, or about 5.7 percent of the total workforce.
Wisconsin and Missouri are also considering right-to-work laws. Twenty-four states already have such legislation.
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