Teamsters Local 519 President and Business Manager Wes Trotterchaud joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed the need to defeat Amendment 1, which if passed, would enshrine So-Called “Right to Work” laws in the Tennessee state constitution.
Local 519 represents members in Knoxville, Tenn.
Trotterchaud has taken a leading role amongst the Teamsters in lobbying against the amendment. He recently wrote an opinion piece for the Knox News that argued the passage of the amendment would put the working class on the chopping block.
For over 75 years, Tennessee has been a So-Called “Right to Work State.” However, if the amendment becomes enshrined in the state’s constituion, it would make repeal of “Right to Work” nearly impossible, Trotterchaud said. He believes that defeating the amendment is not about being poltilcal party, but a working class versus big business issue.
For the amendment to pass, a majority of the electorate who voted for a gubernatorial candidate must vote “Yes” on the amendment and the total number of “Yes” votes on Amendment 1 must outnumber the “No” votes cast against it. A non-vote essentially counts as a “No” vote, he explained. Trottechaud then encouraged all Tennesee listeners to either vote “No” or to not vote on the amendment.
Listen to the entire episode to learn more about the amendment.