Indianapolis Star (02/23/12) Mary Beth Schneider

The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150 has brought a lawsuit over Indiana’s “right to work” law, arguing it violates both the U.S. and Indiana constitutions. Under right to work, businesses are prohibited from negotiating a contract that requires nonmembers to pay fees for representation. Gov. Mitch Daniels, who signed the right to work legislation Feb. 1, says the law is needed to foster job creation and to prevent workers from being required to support a union financially. Opponents say the law will result in a decline in wages and will not attract high-paying jobs. The lawsuit says the law violates the contracts clause in Article 1 of the U.S. Constitution because it hinders contractual relationships and violates equal protection clauses by treating employees differently.