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Judge Hears Right-to-Work Arguments in Hardin County Lawsuit

Jonathunder, Wikimedia Commons

Both sides of the right-to-work controversy say a hearing Tuesday in federal court in Louisville was fair. 

U.S. District Judge David Hale heard arguments on whether local governments can pass right-to-work laws.  A group of labor unions sued Hardin County after magistrates there approved an ordinance earlier this year. 

In the courtroom was Bill Londrigan, head of the Kentucky AFLI-CIO.  He argues right-to-work laws cripple unions.

"Right to work laws lead to lower wages for workers across the board and we feel that is very poor public policy to be promoting laws or statutes that undermine workers' ability to have a good wage and good standard of living," Londrigan told WKU Public Radio.

Also present at the hearing was Jim Waters of the Bluegrass Institute which has been encouraging counties to pass local right-to-work laws.

"The opponents want to say that doing this will create confusion and mass problems while we know what will happen is it will give individual workers more freedom over whether they join a union and pay dues or not," Waters commented.

Twelve Kentucky counties have approved local right-to-work ordinances.  Others are waiting to see how the court case is settled. 

A ruling is expected in the fall, and regardless of which side wins, appeals are expected.

Lisa is a Scottsville native and WKU alum. She has worked in radio as a news reporter and anchor for 18 years. Prior to joining WKU Public Radio, she most recently worked at WHAS in Louisville and WLAC in Nashville. She has received numerous awards from the Associated Press, including Best Reporter in Kentucky. Many of her stories have been heard on NPR.
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