What’s at Stake for Labor and Workers’ Rights this November

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, September 2, 2022

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press@montanademocrats.org

Legislative Elections Could Determine Workers’ Rights in Montana

Helena, MT – The state legislative elections this November could have resounding consequences on labor and workers’ rights in Montana, as the Montana GOP has grown increasingly anti-worker and pushed hard during the last legislative session attempting to pass so-called “right-to-work” legislation. 

Thanks to a united front between labor activists, unions, Democratic lawmakers, and some moderate Republicans, the 2021 attempt to pass right-to-work legislation failed. In fact, the union-led coalition made history for being the first state with a Republican governor and Republican-controlled state house to defeat right-to-work legislation. 

However, the stakes are high going into next year’s legislative session. The MTGOP has cemented their sharp shift to the right. Many moderate Republicans across the state lost their primaries to hardline challengers from the right. At the 2022 GOP Platform Convention, the party made the grim decision to establish a “grading system” that would effectively rank members on obedience to the party and punish Republicans for working towards compromise. 

“The Republicans will once again come after workers’ rights next session. It’s not a question of if, it’s a question of when,” says Sheila Hogan, executive director of the Montana Democratic Party. “It is now more important than ever to vote for Democratic candidates who support Montana workers.” 

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