Hoffman Urges Governor to Sign Measure Protecting Workers’ Rights

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Jay Hoffman, D-Swansea, is urging Gov. Bruce Rauner to sign legislation that works to protect the rights of working men and women across Illinois.

“As the chair of the House Labor Committee, protecting workers’ ability to negotiate fair wages, quality healthcare, and retirement security is my top priority,” Hoffman said. “In order to do so, it’s essential that we fight against extreme right-to-work policies that harm working families to maximize profits for millionaires and billionaires.”

Hoffman’s Senate Bill 1905 would prevent local governments from enacting “right to work” ordinances within their limits. “Right to work” is a term used to describe laws that seek to remove collective bargaining rights, typically that allow men and women who build roads and maintain infrastructure to band together for better working conditions and pay.

Because of the ability to organize, the men and women who work in construction have good-paying jobs and are able to support their families and be members of the middle class. “Right to work” laws are typically supported by major business interests who would be able to expand their profits if given the ability to pay their employees a greatly reduced salary. Senate Bill 1905 passed the House and Senate and is awaiting further action by the governor.

“Our economy does best when the middle-class thrives and the right to organize has been key to building a strong middle-class,” Hoffman said. “The governor needs to drop his union-busting agenda and work with us to lift-up working families in Illinois.”