INDIANAPOLIS —
Facing a legislative vote that would make Indiana a right-to-work state, alarmed union members are thinking about making their case on perhaps the nation’s biggest stage — the Super Bowl.
Labor activists are deciding whether to go ahead with protests that could include Teamsters clogging city streets with trucks and electricians staging a slowdown at the convention center site of the NFL village. What’s holding them back is a fear the effort could create a backlash from those who think sports and politics don’t mix.
“The last thing the city needs is a black eye,” said Jeff Combs, organizing director for Teamsters Local 135 in Indianapolis, one of the unions discussing strategy. Union locals are awaiting guidance from the Indiana AFL-CIO before deciding what to do.
The debate about tactics reflects the desperation of organized labor as the Legislature prepares to vote on the right-to-work measure, which would ban union contracts mandating that workers pay dues for representation. Republicans, who see the bill as an advantage for recruiting businesses to the state, outnumber Democrats 60-40 in the House and 37-13 in the Senate. Indiana would become the 23rd state with a right-to-work law, and the first in 10 years to pass the measure.
The vote, which Republicans would like to hold in the coming weeks, has already prompted union demonstrations at the statehouse and sporadic boycotts by House Democrats.
“The extreme nature of the folks who are trying to impact this for some of their own special interests is a little bit surprising,” Republican House Speaker Brian Bosma said Wednesday.
Indiana, with its auto and other manufacturing industries, has a strong union tradition. Thousands of workers in at least a half dozen unions, including stagehands, truckers, carpenters, electricians and service employees, will be involved in erecting and staffing the huge tent-city of food pavilions, kids’ amusements and live-music venues near Lucas Oil Stadium for a week before the Feb. 5 game.
Opinions among labor leaders are split between those who want to focus on wooing moderate Republican lawmakers and those who want to use the Super Bowl to show the nation the importance of organized labor for staging major events.
“This is why it’s not planned out, because there are so many moving parts,” said AFL-CIO spokesman Jeff Harris.
Roughly 50 labor leaders from across Indiana met Monday for the AFL-CIO’s “Labor Table” to discuss strategy. Harris said unions are ready to begin filing permits with the city this week for protests and other actions.
Organizers from the city’s host committee to the NFL say they are confident the game will not be disrupted. “We are aware of the matter but do not anticipate it will be an issue,” said NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy.
Clark County
Unions see Super Bowl as leverage in battle
Labor activists consider clogging streets in protest
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Union suing to block state’s right-to-work law
Indiana Democrats vehemently objected and boycotted the House session for several days, and union members turned out by the thousands to protest what they called “the right to work for less bill.”
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Ash Wednesday 2012
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Fundraiser builds a solid foundation: Individuals, businesses give generously to help out NA-FC schools
Early Wednesday morning, the foundation via a Facebook update, announced it had exceeded its goal and raised more than $60,000 at the event.
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Henryville High School Hornets’ Nest named finalist for state scholastic journalism award
Nationally-known scholastic journalism judge Dan Niles said, “The Hornets’ Nest was a pleasure to read, especially for all the solid reporting and good quality of photos.”
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Two treated after apartment fire in Jeffersonville
A pan with grease was left on the stove and caught fire, Sharp said. Two people were asleep in a back room of the apartment. They heard some popping and crackling which alerted them to the fire.
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Report: 1si leader to resign
After attempting to reach Wassmer for comment, he responded via text message with “news release coming out in the morning.”
Continued ... - Garbage truck flips in Borden
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Man killed in morning accident in Clark County
A Clark County man is dead after a fatal accident on his way to work Wednesday.
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Jeffersonville City Council, mayor closer to agreement on hires
Moore has changed his position in regards to a communications director since taking office. Initially, he’d said the city would not have a full-time communications director when the last one, Larry Thomas, was laid off.
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Clarksville hits snag with wastewater project
The town had reached an agreed order with IDEM that calls for upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant and collection system including 10 pumping stations around town to be rehabilitated at a cost of about $18.2 million.
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Union suing to block state’s right-to-work law
