On Wednesday, January 25, the Indiana House of Representatives passed legislation that would make Indiana the 23rd state to adopt a law that prohibits employers from forcing employees to become members of a union or to pay union dues. Despite strong opposition from House Democrats, which included numerous proposed amendments and intentionally absenting themselves to limit debate and block voting on the bill, the legislation is anticipated to be signed into law, as the Indiana House and Senate are Republican-controlled; Governor Mitch Daniels also is a Republican.

Assuming it passes and is signed, which could be as soon as before the February 5 Super Bowl in Indianapolis, Indiana would be the first state in the heavily industrialized Midwest “Rust Belt” to have a right-to-work law. The last state to adopt right-to-work legislation was Oklahoma, more than 10 years ago.