New Proposal Could Make New Jersey 'Right To Work' State

TRENTON, NJ (CBS) - A measure introduced into the New Jersey Assembly this week would make the Garden State a so-called "right to work" state. But the plan's not likely to get very far in the legislature.

The proposal, co-sponsored by Red Bank Republican Assemblyman Declan O'Scanlon, would allow workers to opt out of joining a union. Even in a shop that already has one.

"There's pretty strong evidence that states that are right to work states, rather than closed shop states or forced unionism states, have higher growth rates, higher income levels and overall perform better economically," O'Scanlon says.

Unions disagree and vow to fight the plan that's now the law in 22 states across America, mostly in the South and the West. Democrats control both legislative houses, and Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver calls this bill "dead on arrival."

Reported by David Madden KYW Newsradio