Congressman Paul supports private unions and the right of people to organize into groups to barter for better benefits. He opposes the idea that states or unions would compel people to join an union as a condition of employment at a facility or in a trade.
In terms of rights, Congressman Paul asserts that rights do not come to groups, but are given to individuals as a birth right. The right to work where one person chooses is one of those rights.
No matter what someone's personal viewpoint, Congressman Paul opposes the idea that the federal government can or should be involved with the formation of unions. He voted against the Employee Free Choice Act.
The Costa Report
On March 13, 2011 Congressman Paul appeared on the Costa Report and discussed Governor Walker's actions in Wisconsin attempting to limit the public union powers. He states that individuals have rights, but groups do not and that no individual or group has the right to force themselves onto another person. He states that no group has the right to force itself onto a person or compel membership.
Ames, Iowa Debate
On August 11, 2011 Congressman Paul participated in the Republican Presidential Debate in Ames, Iowa. He was asked about the possibility of alienating union members by opposing growing union power. He states that members of unions will understand the constitutional limits of union power.
South Carolina Debate
In May of 2011, Congressman Paul participated in the Republican debate in South Carolina. He discusses his view that right to work states are doing better than union states and his views that the NLRB is not constitutional.
2012 Presidential Campaign Website Statements
FORCED UNIONISM VIOLATES THE CONSTITUTION
Freedom of association is one of the foundations of a free society. The Founders clearly understood this, which is why they sought to protect this God-given right in the First Amendment.
While Ron Paul supports the right of every American to join a private sector union if they wish, he believes, like most Americans, that forcing workers to pay union dues just to get or keep a job is wrong.
Unfortunately, over 75 years ago, the right to decide freely whether or not to join a labor union was taken away from American workers by Congress.
BIG LABOR’S FORCED-DUES EMPIRE
As a result, national union bosses rake in $8 billion every year from workers who are forced to pay dues to a labor union just to provide for themselves and their families.
Then, to add insult to injury, Big Labor uses this forced-dues money to bankroll the campaigns of tax-and-spend, big government politicians all across the country like Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, and Barack Obama!
A PRO-RIGHT TO WORK RECORD
That’s why Ron Paul has been a strong supporter of the National Right to Work Act in Congress.
Passage of a National Right to Work law would end forced union dues by repealing compulsory-dues provisions in federal labor law.
In addition to his support for a National Right to Work law, he also voted to defeat Big Labor’s “Card Check” scheme.
This bill would have eliminated secret ballot elections for union organizers – allowing union bosses to intimidate workers into signing themselves over to union boss control.
And he voted against the Police and Firefighter Monopoly Bargaining Bill.
This legislation was designed to put all American police and firefighters under the union bosses’ control – just the first step toward forcing all state and local public employees under Big Labor’s thumb.
Ron Paul’s exceptional record on Right to Work issues earned him the prestigious Everett Dirksen Award from the National Right to Work Committee.
And he’s been proud to receive the support of the National Right to Work Committee in each and every one of his Congressional elections over the years.
As President, he will continue to lead the fight to free Americans from the shackles of compulsory unionism by working to pass a National Right to Work law.
Voting Record
The Employee Free Choice Act
In March of 2007, the House voted on passage of the Employee Free Choice Act. The legislation passed the House 241-185. Ron Paul voted against the Employee Free Choice Act.
Ron Paul voted against the Employee Free Choice Act.
