Ind. Panel OKs ‘Right To Work’ in Party-Line Vote

A committee of Indiana lawmakers is recommending their colleagues approve "right-to-work'' legislation when they return in January for their 2012 session.

The Legislature's Interim Study Committee on Employment voted 5-4 along party lines Wednesday to advance the proposal. Senate and House Republicans have already announced plans to introduce bills for consideration during the upcoming session.

The divisive issue sparked a five-week walkout by House Democrats during this year's session. New fines put in place by the Republican-led Legislature make another walkout much less likely.

"Right-to-work'' would prohibit workers from being required to pay union representation fees. Indiana's unions spent much of the summer protesting the measure at the study committee's hearings and packed its final hearing Wednesday.