Collection:LPB

Genre: News, Public Affairs

Place Covered: Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1984-04-13

Duration: 00:07:29

Subjects: Louisiana. Legislature | Louisiana Legislative Session, 1984 | Politics | Government | RIGHT TO WORK | Unions | Business | Labor | Louisiana AFL-CIO | Louisiana Association of Business and Industry

Contributors:

• Courtney, Beth Host
• Ekings, Robyn Reporter
• LeBlanc, Sam Speaker
• Mouton, Sonny Speaker
• Bussie, Victor Interviewee
• Steimel, Ed Interviewee
• Kimball, Clyde Interviewee
• Edwards, Edwin Speaker

This segment from the April 13, 1984, episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” features Robyn Ekings’ report on a bill at the upcoming 1984 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature that aims to repeal the state’s right to work law. This report includes footage from the contentious debate between business and labor on the 1976 Right to Work bill, including highlights of speeches by Victor Bussie, State Representative Sam LeBlanc, and State Senator Sonny Mouton. Ekings interviews: Victor Bussie, the president of the Louisiana AFL-CIO, who discusses the lack of support for the bill on both sides; Ed Steimel, the president of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI), who discusses the benefits of the right to work law to the state; and State Representative Clyde Kimball, who discusses the state’s budget problems as a more pressing concern than repealing the right to work law. This report also includes highlights from a press conference with Governor Edwin Edwards discussing his unwillingness to get involved with a controversy over right to work. Host: Beth Courtney