An attempt to override Gov. John Lynch’s veto of the so-called “Right to Work” bill failed on Nov. 30. The N.H. House of Representatives voted 240-139 to override the veto, falling short of the two-thirds majority needed.

House Bill 474, which would have dramatically reduced the collective bargaining power of unions, passed the House and Senate this spring but was vetoed by the governor in May. Lynch and other critics say the bill would undermine unions and result in lower wages for employees.

Supporters say the bill would allow employees not to join unions and create jobs by attracting more large companies to the state.

House Speaker William O’Brien delayed the vote for months as he attempted to shore up support for an override. He finally called the vote following discussion of the bill during the Nov. 30 House session.

Republican leaders, including O’Brien and House majority leader D.J. Bettencourt, vowed to continue pushing for right-to-work legislation.

“We have not seen the end of this matter,” O’Brien said in a statement. “Right-to-work will be priority legislation before the House next year.”

O’Brien predicted the issue would be prevalent in the 2012 gubernatorial race and other elections. That appears to be true, as candidates from both parties released statements about the vote—Democrat Maggie Hassan said she opposes right-to-work legislation, while Republican Ovide Lamontagne said he supports it.