Legal Definitions - right-to-work law

right-to-work law

A "right-to-work law" is a state statute that prohibits agreements between employers and labor unions from requiring employees to join a union, pay union dues, or financially support a union as a condition of getting or keeping a job. In states with these laws, employees have the right to work without being compelled to join or contribute to a union, even if a union represents the workplace.

Examples:

• Example 1: A New Hire in Manufacturing
  Imagine Sarah applies for a job at a car manufacturing plant in Michigan, a state with a right-to-work law. The plant has a strong union that represents its workers. Sarah is offered the position. Under a right-to-work law, the union and the company cannot legally require Sarah to become a union member or pay union fees as a condition of her employment. This illustrates the law's protection of an individual's right to choose whether or not to join or financially support a union, even in a unionized workplace.
• Example 2: An Existing Employee Opting Out
  Consider David, who has worked for a large retail chain in Florida, another right-to-work state, for several years. When he was hired, he chose to join the union that represented the store's employees. After a few years, David decides he no longer wishes to be a union member or pay the associated dues. Because Florida is a right-to-work state, David can resign from the union and stop paying dues without fear of losing his job or facing other employment-related penalties from his employer or the union. This demonstrates how the law allows existing employees to disassociate from a union without jeopardizing their employment.
• Example 3: Collective Bargaining Agreement Limitations
  A union is negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement with a major airline in Texas, which is a right-to-work state. During negotiations, the union proposes a clause that would require all new pilots hired by the airline to join the union within 30 days of employment. The airline, citing Texas's right-to-work law, rejects this clause, knowing it would be unenforceable and illegal. This example shows how right-to-work laws restrict the types of agreements that unions and employers can make regarding union membership or financial support as a condition of employment.