What is a “Right to Work” State?

A Right to Work (RTW) state is a state where workers are free to join a union or not join, and where they are free to pay union dues or not pay. In the U.S., 22 states are “Right to Work” states , and 28 are not. Who opposes right-to-work laws? Unions oppose them, since they favor compelling all workers to join unions and pay union dues.

What are the economic consequences of being a right to work state vs not being such a state? From 1999 through 2009, the 22 RTW states saw private sector non-farm employment increase 3.7%; the 28 forced unionism states saw such employment decrease by 2.8%. Real personal incomes rose 28% in RTW states , while declining by 15% in forced unionism states. In RTW states, cost of living adjusted disposable personable per capita income was $35,500 vs $33,400 in forced unionism states. Now, for the first time, there are more union members in public employee unions that private employee unions.

Giving ordinary people the right to decide whether to join a union or not seems like a very fundamental issue of personal freedom. New York should enact a “Right to Work” law. But considering the power of our unions, especially public employee unions, and their control of our politicians, it will, unfortunately, never happen.