By William J. Canary
Canary is President and CEO of the Business Council of Alabama

Article I of Alabama’s 1901 Constitution guarantees certain unique rights. In addition to mirroring constitutional guarantees in the U.S. Bill of Rights, Alabama’s governing document bestows many other rights.

Missing, however, is the important and fundamental right to work and provide for our families.

The Alabama Legislature is working to correct that oversight with HB 37 by Rep. Arnold Mooney, R-Birmingham. HB 37 is a constitutional amendment that would further establish Alabama as a right-to-work state and prevent labor organizations from forcing employees to join. At the same time, employers could not deny union membership to workers who wish to join.

The House has passed HB 37 and sent it to the Senate for consideration. If approved, the amendment will appear on the November 2016 General Election ballot for ratification.

During a high-water mark of labor union activity more than 60 years ago, some non-union workers were being intimidated or pushed out by union members who wanted a “closed shop” workplace. Potential industrial prospects were reluctant to locate here in order to avoid the sometimes outrageous demands of organized labor.

To combat these threats to our economic development progress, the Legislature in 1953 passed a right-to-work statute.

Today union activity is again on the rise and threatens our ability to create jobs and opportunity. As a result, it is time for Alabama to enshrine the right to work in our Constitution and send a loud message to economic developers and potential industrial prospects that we remain open for business.