Montana legislative committee rejects ‘right-to-work’ bill

A bill to establish “right-to-work” in Montana – which would have said people couldn’t be forced to join or pay dues to a union as a condition of employment – has been voted down in a state legislative committee. It comes days after the initial hearing, when union members and advocates rallied at the State Capitol in opposition to the proposal.

The House Business and Labor Committee voted 12-7 Wednesday to table House Bill 448, sponsored by Rep. James Bergstrom, R-Buffalo. Six Republicans and all six Democrats on the committee voted for the motion, while seven Republicans opposed it.