The City of Seaford will hold a press conference on Jan. 16 at 1:30 p.m. in City Hall to mark the passage of a right to work ordinance
The western Sussex County city was the first in Delaware to pass the ordinance, which bars unions from collecting dues from employees represented in negotiations.
A concerted effort from a number of right to work groups fell short in an effort to pass the ordinance in Seaford’s home county, due to concerns over a possible legal fight. There were also concerns that the ordinance could lead to a contentious labor climate in the county.
Backers cited a legal opinion in another state that upheld the law on a county level and believed they had a chance of passage, due to the all-GOP makeup of the County Council. Union worker also turned out in force in opposing the legislation.
An opinion from the State of Delaware indicated that right to work laws are under the jurisdiction of the state.
Seaford has struggled with job creation as the Invista, formerly DuPont, nylon plant cut its workforce over the decades.
The city received more bad news when Allen-Harim announced plans to relocate its headquarters to a portion of the former Vlasic pickle plant in Millsboro. Another area of he plant will house a poultry deboning line.
