LABOR

Indiana Passes Anti-Union Bill

Allows workers to evade dues.

Indiana’s state Senate passed a “right-to-work” bill Wednesday that will allow workers at unionized businesses to opt out of paying dues. Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels, who has championed the bill, is expected to sign it Wednesday. The bill’s supporters claim that the law will draw jobs to the state and will not discourage workers who want to join unions from doing so. But the bill’s opponents say it will lead only to “lower wages and fewer benefits.” There are currently 22 other states with right-to-work legislation on the books. Indiana’s actions have gained particular attention in an election year when organized labor could prove a critical voting bloc.