With House Passage of "Right to Work" Constitutional Amendment, TN Legislature Sets a Dangerous Precedent

Following final House approval of legislation that would enshrine Tennessee's "Right to Work" law in the state constitution, Tennessee AFL-CIO President Billy Dycus issued the following statement.

"With the Tennessee House of Representatives' final approval of SJR 0002, the Republican supermajority sent a clear message: our state is pro-business and anti-worker. In spite of repeated, powerful testimony against this harmful resolution over the past several months and hundreds of phone calls and e-mails, legislators once again chose to ignore the voices of working families and side with corporate special interests.

Today, 67 representatives voted to enshrine low wages and dangerous workplaces in our state constitution. 67 representatives showed that they support amending the constitution for a political agenda, setting a dangerous precedent for our state. 67 representatives showed their absolute disdain for hard-working Tennesseans, especially those who have sacrificed so much throughout the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. Regardless, we are appreciative of and extend our thanks to all lawmakers who voted against this resolution or chose to pass.

However, this vote is not is not the end of our fight. Now, it’s up to the people of Tennessee to decide whether or not they agree with their legislators when they cast their ballots next November. Already, working families across the state are having important conversations with their friends and neighbors about the dangers of enshrining Tennessee’s 'Right to Work’ law in the state constitution. Together, we will put the concept of solidarity into action, and we are confident that voters across the state will see through political power-grab.”