The Alabama Senate has approved a proposed constitutional amendment that would put Alabama's right-to-work law into the state constitution.
The Senate's 21-10 vote Thursday sent the legislation for the House. If passed by the House, it will require approval by Alabama voters in next year's general election.
The sponsor, Republican Sen. Gerald Dial of Lineville, said the right-to-work law has helped Alabama recruit many industries and it needs to be protected by being put in the constitution. Opponents said it's unnecessary because no one has tried to repeal the law.
The Senate passed the bill after the Republican majority voted to cut off stalling tactics by some Democrats.
The right-to-work law provides that employees can't be required to join a union or pay union dues as a condition of employment.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.