MARK KIESLING: I want to see how Bosma's act plays in region

It sure didn't take long for one of Indiana's leading politicians to prove me right when I said the impetus behind the right-to-work law is political.

State House Speaker Brian Bosma, R-Indianapolis, is taking out half-minute cable TV ads in limited markets to tout right-to-work legislation.

Again, in a nutshell, right-to-work exists in about 22 other states, mostly in the South, and exempts workers who join a union company from having to join that particular union.

You can get your cake and eat it, too, under right-to-work.

Its detractors call it the "right-to-work for less" law, while its boosters say by making the business climate more attractive, states add to their tax base and everyone wins.

I know I've written about this recently, but this promises to be the No. 1, Grade A political fight of the upcoming state legislative session.

It has profound implications for the way work is done in this state, particularly in a heavily unionized area like Northwest Indiana.

Maybe that's why Bosma's foray into the world of cable did not include the Calumet Region. The ads are showing in Fort Wayne and Indianapolis, where they are more likely to receive a friendly reception.

Now, most of the guys I know who are union members will be the first to admit unions have abused their power. They don't want to be told who to vote for, and they don't want their dues redirected to political campaigns (they might reconsider on Bosma).

But.

It's tough to imagine the fellow who has faithfully paid his dues into, let's say, United Steelworkers 1010 or Operating Engineers 150 working side-by-side with a newcomer getting the same benefits without the extraction of cash to fund negotiations come contract time.

It's sort of like being on an ancient viking longboat where 40 men pulling on their oars suddenly look around to see four guys playing Uno. Yeah, that's gonna go well.

Bosma said companies looking at relocation won't even consider Indiana because it is not a right-to-work state, but as I wrote last week I am a bit suspicious of his rhetoric.

During Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels' administration, which ends next year courtesy of term limits, the GOP touted new high-paying jobs lured to the Hoosier state through the ability of its governor.

Did Daniels do a good job, or was he thwarted by nonexistent right-to-work laws? You can't have it both ways.

I'm going to wait and see how Bosma's act plays in Northwest Indiana, where he's going to have to face the state's most highly unionized workers.

He might find himself in the water along with those four vikings.

The opinions are solely those of the writer. He can be reached at mark.kiesling@nwi.com or (219) 933-4170.