By State Representative, Leon D. Young
Leon D. Young
As you probably know, the Super Bowl is scheduled to be played this Sunday, February 5 in Indianapolis,Indiana. The big game (Super bowl XLVI) is a rematch between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots. Just four years earlier,New York beat New England in Super Bowl XLII and spoiled the Patriots’ unblemished regular season.
It is estimated that more than 160 million Americans will tune in to this year’s Super Bowl. But this ultimate showdown takes on even more significance in light of the state in which it’s being played ( Indiana ) and the politics of its current Republican governor (Mitch Daniels).
Indiana now has the dubious distinction of being the latest state to enact draconian right-to-work legislation. This “right-to-work” moniker is totally misleading and belies its real intent. Many are confused by its deceptive title ‘right-to-work.’Under a state’s right-to-work law, workers do not have to join the union or pay dues.
Simply put, this legislation would make Indiana and its workers poorer. A recent report by the Economic Policy Institute found that this type of legislation would reduce wages by $1,500 a year and lower the likelihood that employees get health care coverage or pensions through their jobs. Moreover, 6 in 10 states with the highest unemployment have right-to-work laws.
There are times when the invisible line that separates politics and sports get blurred, and such is now the case with this right-to-work legislation. National Football League (NFL) players are highly- paid professional athletes but, at the end of the day, they’re still members of the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA).
The NFLPA has officially gone on record in asserting its solidarity with fellow union workers and voicing its strong opposition to Indiana’s right-to-work law. In a prepared news release the NFLPA stated: Right-to-work legislation is a political ploy designed to destroy basic workers’ rights. It’s not about jobs or rights,and it’s the wrong priority for Indiana. We urge legislators in Indiana to oppose “right-to-work” efforts, and focus instead on job creation.
The NFLPA is absolutely right regarding this unnecessary and divisive legislation that further undermines the financial stability of working families. All eyes will be focused on Indiana as it play host to this year’s Super Bowl, but Indiana has lost much of its luster in light of its decision to compromise the livelihood of hardworking, union workers.