Right-to-work laws are an attack on labor unions led by well-funded, anti-union interest groups. These laws make dues collection more difficult and force unions to pay to represent workers who choose not to join. When states pass right-to-work laws, the results are lower union density, lower wages and lower safety standards across the board for union and nonunion workers alike. 

Right-to-work laws are intentionally misleading. Current federal law already protects our right to seek a job wherever we want and our right to choose whether to join a union or not. The anti-union groups who push right-to-work laws want us to believe these laws help workers, but they do just the opposite. Right-to-work laws make it easier to cut hours, eliminate health and safety protections and pay workers less. In fact, the average worker makes about $6,000 less per year in right-to-work states.

Anti-union interest groups have pushed right-to-work laws in statehouses around the country – and we’ve pushed back. While several states went right to work over the past decade, labor stopped their momentum by repealing the law in Missouri.  We are now fighting to stop right to work in Montana and New Hampshire.  This is an important fight and one we can win.

The recent wave of right-to-work laws is part of a coordinated attack on working people led by powerful corporations and right-wing interest groups. They want to take away our rights and weaken our union so that they can do as they please, putting profits before people. 

Every recent right-to-work attack took place in states with Republican-controlled legislatures.  We can counter by reaching out across the aisle and finding pro-union Republicans who will vote against right to work if their party takes control of their state.  We also must push Democrats to repeal right to work at every opportunity.

President Biden has endorsed the PRO Act, a sweeping labor bill that would repeal right to work nationwide.  Passing the PRO Act is a priority for all of labor.

To join the labor movement’s fight to pass the PRO act, click here.