Union members protest at West Chester trustees meeting

West Chester Twp. trustees recently declared they are open for business, but not necessarily for unions, and dozens of protesters had something to say about that.

MORE: West Chester trustees want Right to Work resolution

A large number of union members showed up at the West Chester Twp. board of trustees meeting Tuesday night to protest a Right to Work resolution the township is creating.

West Chester Twp.’s staff and its legal counsel are working on a resolution that will establish the township as a “Right to Work” place, which means private companies and their unions cannot force workers to join unions or pay dues.

“I believe it is going to show this community that West Chester is open for business, we mean it, we stand behind our businesses and we will continue to dominate the market from an economic development perspective. It’s going to make us more attractive to businesses…” township Trustee George Lang said recently. “And I happen to believe wholeheartedly that prosperity is America’s birthright.”

Board President Mark Welch concurred.

“There is a ton of evidence that says that companies would rather relocate and build their business in Right to Work states,” Welch said. “I think we should move ahead on this as quickly as possible and give potential manufacturers that are looking at Ohio or looking at the region, another reason to come to West Chester.”

A recent federal appeals court opinion opened up “Right to Work” status to cities and limited home rule townships. Previously only states — there are 26 of them and Ohio is not one — had the ability to make that designation.

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