On February 8, 2017, the New Hampshire Union Leader published an op-ed titled “Another View -- Laurie Sanborn: End forced unionism in NH” by State Representative Laurie Sanborn (R). 

Laurie Sanborn is one of the tri-chairs of the New Hampshire House Republican Alliance.

In her article, Mrs. Sanborn discusses why forced unionization in New Hampshire should end and why she supports the Right-to-Work bills before the Senate (SB 11) and the House (HB 520).

Rep. Sanborn explains that Republicans are not opposed to unions and that these bills would not eliminate unions. Republicans just support freedom and workers and want to create jobs.

In addition, these Republicans are representing their constituents. A Gallup poll shows that 74 percent of Americans and 71 percent of New Hampshire residents support Right-to-Work. And at least 60 percent of Democrats and union members also support it.

She states that a lot of her constituents speak with her quietly, saying that they shouldn’t be forced to contribute to an organization they don’t want to belong to. They fear harassment and being fired if they speak out.

Rep. Sanborn then focuses on the economic benefits of Right-to-Work. She analyzes two states that recently passed Right-to-Work. Indiana and Michigan both have steady union participation rates and worker wages, but they have also had tremendous new economic investments and job creation since passing Right-to-Work.

In New Hampshire, however, the state has fewer younger people, while states with Right-to-Work gained 4.9 million people from 2003 – 2012. Most people moved for jobs and economic opportunity.

Rep. Sanborn concludes by saying that New Hampshire will have a lot more jobs, people and economic prosperity if the House passes Right-to-Work because it will be the only state in the Northeast with Right-to-Work.

To read Rep. Sanborn’s article, please click here.