Kentucky – More Right To Work

More Kentucky counties are passing Right to Work ordinances, despite union boss lawsuits. Amanda von Beschoten has the story in cincinnat!.com.

The leaders of Boone, Campbell and Kenton counties know their next big move is headed for a court challenge – and they’re OK with that.

It’s worth it, they say, to send the message that the Northern Kentucky region supports “right to work,” or the ability of workers to opt out of unions at their places of employment without repercussions.

“We think we have a very good legal argument to win (in court),” said Kenton County Judge-executive Kris Knochelmann. “But we also are sending the message that this should be done statewide. And if Frankfort isn’t willing to do it, we are.”

Kenton County held a first reading of its ordinance last week and is expected to enact it March 10. Boone County’s will come up for a vote on March 17. Campbell County Judge-executive Steve Pendery said the issue could come up “relatively soon” there.

The ordinances would not affect existing labor contracts, nor public employees’ unions.

“We’ve heard for some time through Tri-ED that not being a right-to-work state costs us opportunities,” said Boone County Judge-executive Gary Moore. “Now that there appears to be the ability for passing right-to-work on county basis, we want to take a serious look at it.”

Knochelmann said he isn’t sure how many Kenton Countians are unionized, but “I don’t know that it really matters – if it’s one or if it’s 50,000, we are not getting the opportunities for businesses to locate in Northern Kentucky in particular – or the state as whole – because we’re not right-to-work.”

Nor does he believe local taxpayers will have to shoulder the burden of the coming lawsuits: The Kentucky Association of Counties has agreed to help defend counties on the matter.