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Abbott calls for strengthening Texans’ right-to-work

By Ben Kamisar Austin
American-Statesman
February 20, 2013

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott joined with legislators Wednesday to announce actions to strengthen the state’s right to work laws.

New legislation filed by state Sen. Kel Seliger, R-Amarillo, and state Rep. Charles “Doc” Anderson, R-Waco, would mandate a secret ballot before employees decide to unionize. Abbott called unionizing an “independent choice” for Texans, and asserted that the efforts would help employees feel comfortable to make their own decision.

“It ensures that every Texas worker is allowed to make the choice to unionize without coercion, without threats, without intimidation,” Abbott said.

Abbott, who is said to be considering a run for governor in 2014, also released a Texas Workers Bill of Rights, which emphasizes the right of Texans to not join a union. He encouraged employers to display the document to advise workers of this right.

Texas is considered a right-to-work state, which means that employment cannot be contingent on union membership.

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