Oklahoma is the nation's 22nd right-to-work state.

On Sept. 25, a statewide right-to-work ballot measure was adopted by a 54-46 percent margin, or 68,607 votes.

The anti-worker forces were bolstered by an estimated $5 million campaign kitty put up by more than 2,000 businesses - including $100,000 from anti-union retailer Wal-Mart - and wealthy individuals, including the publisher of the state's leading newspaper, who gave $250,000. They also were helped by Republican Gov. Frank Keating and the Oklahoma Right to Work Committee.

Right to work laws basically bust unions. They allow workers to enjoy the benefits and job protections of a collectively bargained contract at a company without the requirement of paying dues.

On average, workers in right-to-work states earn 18 percent lower wages than those in non-RTW states. If you are laid off in a right-to-work state, also count on getting 31 percent less in unemployment insurance benefits, and nearly $5,000 per year less in workers' compensation benefits if you're injured on the job.

The vote was the first time in 15 years any state passed this anti-worker law.

"On behalf of all Oklahoma labor, I want to express our sincerest 'thank you' to the thousands of union members, locals and internationals across America who helped us in the fight, from members and retirees sending $5 and $10 to lending us workers," said Oklahoma AFL-CIO President Jim Curry. " It was one of the finest shows of union brotherhood I've ever seen."

The last time right-to-work supporters won such a statewide election was in 1985. But now supporters could have new momentum, and have a list of several other states they are targeting to implement the law, including, surprisingly enough, Ohio.

…While Nissan workers snub UAW

Eight days after the vote in Oklahoma, the news just kept getting worse for organized labor.

The United Auto Workers were walloped in their effort to organize the Smyrna, Tenn. Nissan plant, losing a union representation election by a 3,103-against to 1,486-for margin on Oct. 3. The UAW had high hopes for winning this election, and threw a lot of money and resources into the effort. But it was all for naught - the UAW has repeatedly been unable to successfully organize workers at foreign-owned manufacturing plants on U.S. soil.

The union's membership has dwindled from 1.5 million in 1979 to less than 700,000 today.

Nissan wooed workers in recent days by pledging to build additional vehicles at the plant as part of a previously announced $1 billion expansion.