Indiana union members gather to protest labor bill

INDIANANPOLIS — About 200 Indiana union members have gathered at the Statehouse for a hearing on so-called right-to-work legislation opposed by unions and Democrats.

Union members carrying signs reading "Stop the war on labor" and "Jobs with justice" arrived early for Monday's hearing before the Republican-controlled Indiana House's employment committee.

The panel must endorse the bill Monday to keep it alive this legislative session.

The legislation would prohibit union membership and fees from being a condition of employment. Backers argue it would remove an impediment to business in the state, while opponents say such laws drive down wages by weakening unions.

The bill is so contentious that Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels has said he would prefer that legislators focus on other issues.