Sussex County Council plans to take public comments on a right to work ordinance at its meeting next week. It could also vote to approve the proposal Tuesday.
Councilman Rob Arlett’s proposal would bar any requirement that workers to join a union as a condition of employment or pay union dues.
Arlett said he’s not anti-union, but bringing right to work to Sussex County would help create more jobs.
“It empowers the employee to choose whether they want to be a part of a union or not," he said. "It empowers companies to consider our county now that we are not forcing to pay dues for employment. And ultimately, I think it will also give unions more options and more choices to solicit and market their services.”
Critics of the proposal say it is designed to kill unions. They also argue workers are not forced to join a union. They join and pay dues so unions can negotiate for better pay and benefits on their behalf.
The move comes despite comments last month by State Solicitor Aaron Goldstein saying the county lacks the authority to pass such a proposal. Goldstein says that authority rests solely with the General Assembly.
Arlett calls the state solicitor’s comments partisan.
“If the state, you know, knew what it would take to attract companies, they would - as other states have - consider right to work," he said. "As a bill was brought forth before them back in 2014, but it never came out of committee. So, a response like that from the state solicitor doesn’t surprise me.”
The council could do one of four things at the Jan. 2nd meeting: approve the ordinance, voted it down, table it for a future decision or amend the language
