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Lawmakers Override Veto, Will Make WV Right-To-Work State
By: Associated Press
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CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) – West Virginia is set to become the 26th right-to-work state.
In House and Senate party-line votes Friday, lawmakers rebuked Thursday’s veto by Democratic Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin. Some House Republicans voted no.
A simple majority was required.
So-called “right to work” states prohibit companies from requiring employees to pay union dues as a condition of employment. Unions are still required to represent every worker. The law applies to new collective bargaining agreements.
Democrats said right to work undermines unions without clear benefit. Republicans contended that a new path is needed for the suffering state, and contended that right to work would drive in business.
In his veto, Tomblin wrote that right to work would produce little-to-no economic growth and could lower wages.
The law becomes effective 90 days from passage.