Indiana Becomes The Country's 23rd Right To Work State

04:58

January 26, 2012

Rep. Scott Reske, D-Pendleton, stands outside of the House of Representatives during a debate on the right to work bill at the Statehouse Wednesday in Indianapolis. (AP)

Indiana, in the heart of the industrial Midwest and where about 10 percent of the work force is unionized, is now the country's 23rd right to work state.

The law passed Wednesday night by the Indiana House of Representatives and is expected to be quickly signed by Governor Mitch Daniels.

Twenty-two states, mostly in the South, are right to work states. That means that unions can no longer require non-members to pay mandatory fees for representing them in workplaces.

It's a blow to unions who fear right to work fever could spread to other rust belt states.

Guest:

Michelene Maynard, senior editor of the public radio project Changing Gears, she also blogs about the auto industry for Forbes.com

This segment aired on January 26, 2012.