2020 was a difficult year for everyone, including New Hampshire’s labor movement. We watched as our workforce suddenly became labeled as “essential workers” and were asked to go to work in dangerous – even life threatening – conditions amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

But America’s labor movement was built on the principle of showing up – and we did. From the onset of the pandemic to now as it continues to rage on, the AFL-CIO held onto this principle and fought relentlessly to protect our workers.

Unfortunately here in the Granite State, this fight is just getting started. On Feb. 4, the New Hampshire Senate will vote on SB 61, a “right to work” bill that would make it harder for our working people to form unions and collectively bargain for better wages, benefits, and working conditions.

Let’s be clear: The title “right to work” is a Jim Crow relic meant to undermine the real damage these laws have on America’s working people – damage that would directly interfere with the business of private employers and their contracts with our labor unions.

Where’s the morality of our legislators, who claim to be all for the deregulation of businesses and maintaining a free market economy, and then in the same breath try to interfere with private sector unions? All credibility goes out the door.

Our free market economy doesn’t need anymore government intrusion or regulatory burdens on our private businesses. For all of its history, New Hampshire has avoided this devastating impact to our working people – and it’s been for our benefit. If you don’t believe me, fine. I’ll let the facts do the talking.

It would harm our income: In 2019, the median income for New Hampshire households was $86,900, $20,000 more than the average income ($64,071) for those in “right to work” states.

It would harm our livelihoods: In 2019, the average percentage of people living in poverty in “right to work” states was 11.2 percent. In New Hampshire, that percentage is just 3.2%.

And it would harm our safety: The rate of workplace deaths in New Hampshire was 1.5% in 2019. In “right to work” states, that same percentage was 4.9%.

For 39 years straight, time and time again, “right to work” has been presented before the New Hampshire state Legislature. And time and time again, it’s been shot down – because our representatives have been able to tell the difference between a cynical blanket statement and a true detriment to constituents.

Let’s make sure this year is no different.

(Glenn Brackett is the president of the New Hampshire AFL-CIO, the state’s largest labor federation.)