Young Leaders Tackle Right to Work with Educational Forum

The 2012 Indiana legislative session may be one of the most important, and debated, in recent history as legislators prepare to discuss making Indiana the 23rd "right to work" state in the nation. While many debate the costs and benefits of the proposed legislation, few doubt the potential for lasting impacts of the passing of such legislation on Indiana’s workforce. The Young Leaders of Northeast Indiana (YLNI), a non-profit organization representing, perhaps, the demographic with the most at stake in the proposed legislation, is making preparations to educate its members on the issue of “right to work.”

On Tuesday, January 10, 2012, YLNI will host “Right to Work 101,” an educational forum designed to help the YLNI network understand the proposed legislation, its history and the potential lasting impacts.

“It is essential that the young leaders of this community be informed of the proposed legislation and its potential impact on the region and workforce,” says Lisa Updike, YLNI president. “YLNI has hosted various educational forums to ensure that its membership and demographic are engaged and informed regarding issues affecting the greater community. This legislation will be heavily debated at the Statehouse, and YLNI wants to make sure its membership and demographic have access to information on both sides of the issue.”

Proponents of right to work, such as Governor Mitch Daniels, insist that the proposed legislation encourages new business attraction by removing dues paying requirements as a condition for employment in some circumstances. Opponents, such as the Indiana AFL-CIO, disagree with the suggestion of a correlation between economic growth and right to work legislation and insist that the legislation simply promotes lower wages.

YLNI’s forum will feature attorney Tuck Hopkins who has practiced labor and employment law for more than three decades. Hopkins will present a non-partisan overview of the proposed legislation, including an overview of points and counterpoints, followed by a question and answer session facilitated by two young leaders compiling questions from both sides of the aisle. The forum will begin at 5:30 p.m. and will be held in the Auditorium of the Downtown Branch of Allen County Public Library.

The forum is hosted by YLNI’s Community Impact Committee. YLNI’s mission is to attract, develop and retain emerging leaders through community, professional and social engagement. In furtherance of that mission the Community Impact Committee educates YLNI members about issues that impact the community, and in particular, the young leaders demographic.