NFL players union tackles right-to-work bill

The NFL players union on Tuesday came out against Wisconsin’s right-to-work legislation and went after Gov. Scott Walker in a statement to the press.

“The NFL Players Association stands together with the working families of Wisconsin and organized labor in their fight against current attacks against their right to stand together as a team,” the group’s executive director, DeMaurice Smith, said in a press release.


The proposed legislation would make it so that people who work in unionized workplaces could choose to opt out of contributing to a union, such as by paying dues. Currently, those who work in Wisconsin’s unionized workplaces are required to support the union to continue their employment.

Hearings for the legislation start on Tuesday and are expected to reach the Wisconsin Senate floor by Wednesday. The Republican majority in Wisconsin’s statehouse is expected to pass the bill and send it along to Walker, a potential GOP 2016 candidate who is in support of right-to-work legislation.

“Gov. Scott Walker may not value these vital employees, but as union members, we do,” the NFL Players Association statement said.

Smith continued, “Gov. Walker’s anti-union efforts have resulted in Wisconsin leading the nation in job losses for two months in a row.”

If the legislation passes as expected, Wisconsin will become the 25th state with a right-to-work law. Twelve of the NFL’s 32 teams are located in states with right-to-work laws, according to the Lacrosse Tribune.

The NFLPA argues that right-to-work legislation will “jeopardize” the livelihood of Wisconsin employees and would affect unions’ ability to engage in collective bargaining.

“This proposed legislation unfairly risks the health and safety of employees by depriving them of on-the-job protections that unions have historically defended,” Smith said.