Kentucky AFL-CIO President Bill Londrigan joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast and discussed how the passage of So-Called “Right to Work” laws in Kentucky failed to suppress union membership in the Bluegrass State.
Kentucky became a So-Called “Right to Work” state in 2017, when Unity Aluminum promised to build an aluminum plant near Ashland and hire 550 people if the state became “Right to Work.” However, despite Kentucky sinking $15 million in the project, the plant was never built.
Londrigan said So-Called “Right to Work” laws have not affected the labor movement in Kentucky. The amount of people who do not pay union dues, yet enjoy the value of Collective Bargaining Agreement is negligible. Despite challenges from anti-union politicians, the union movement in Kentucky has prospered, he added.
Londrigan also talked about the $5.8 billion Ford battery plant being built in Kentucky, which will employ all union workers and recounted numerous organizing wins from across the country.
Listen to the entire episode to learn more about these topics.