So-Called “Right to Work”

LIUNA fights to protect workers’ freedom to organize, negotiate fair contracts, and secure better wages and benefits. We oppose anti-worker policies like so-called “Right to Work” laws that weaken unions, drive down pay, and make job sites more dangerous.

So-Called "Right to Work" Laws: Unsafe, Unfair, and Unnecessary

"Right to Work" is a misleading name for laws that hurt workers. These laws, pushed by large corporations, low-road contractors, and the wealthiest 1%, are designed to cut workers' pay and benefits while weakening unions.

What "Right to Work" Really Means

"Right to Work" laws are government regulations that prohibit workers and employers from including union security clauses in privately-negotiated contracts. These clauses ensure that all workers who benefit from collective bargaining pay their fair share for the services provided.

Under "Right to Work," workers can "free ride"—enjoying higher wages, better health and retirement benefits, legal representation, and other union-won benefits without contributing anything for these services.

The Devastating Impact on Workers

Research shows "Right to Work" laws turn good blue-collar jobs into low-wage, no-benefit jobs, threaten training programs, and jeopardize pensions and healthcare.

Workers in "Right to Work" states earn significantly less:

• $8,413 to $8,989 less annually than workers in free-bargaining states
• Construction and extraction workers see wages cut by 5.9%
• Service workers lose 3.1% of hourly wages
• Workers with college degrees earn 3.1% to 3.3% less

"Right to Work" states have worse outcomes across the board:

• 24% of jobs are low-wage compared to 14.5% in free-bargaining states
• Poverty rate is 11.2% to 12.2% compared to 8.9% to 10.1%
• Workplace death rate is 37% to 50% higher
• 11.7% to 11.9% of people under 65 lack health insurance compared to 7.7% to 8.1%
• 31.6% less per student spent on education

Source: The Impact of "Right-to-Work" Laws on Labor Market Outcomes in Three Midwest States: Evidence from Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin (2010-2016)

Bad for Everyone

"Right to Work" doesn't just hurt workers—it undermines responsible union contractors who compete on skill and safety, and it devastates local economies when wages fall and workers have less to spend at local businesses.