Ind. Union Members Gather to Protest Labor Bill

A contentious labor bill that is drawing hundreds of protesting union members to the Indiana Statehouse has cleared a Republican-led House committee.

The House Labor Committee voted 8-5 along party lines Monday to advance the so-called right-to-work legislation, which prohibits union membership and fees from being a condition of employment.

Backers argue the bill would remove an impediment to business in the state, while opponents say such laws drive down wages by weakening unions.

The bill is so controversial that Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels has said he would prefer that legislators focus on other issues for fear that the proposal could wreck the political chances of other more important bills.

The right-to-work bill now moves to the full Republican-led House for consideration.