Legal Landscape of Right-to-Work Laws in US
Currently, 27 states have enacted right-to-work laws. The legal basis for these laws stems from the 1947 Taft-Hartley Act, a federal law that permits states to outlaw union security agreements. Right-to-work legislation remains a hotly debated issue, with states sometimes changing their stance. For example, Missouri enacted a right-to-work law in 2017 but voters repealed it via referendum in 2018.
Right-to-Work States
State | Year Constitutional Amendment Adopted | Year Statute Enacted |
---|---|---|
Alabama | 2016 | 1953 |
Arizona | 1946 | 1947 |
Arkansas | 1944 | 1947 |
Florida | 1968 | 1943 |
Georgia | 1947 | |
Idaho | 1985 | |
Indiana | 2012 | |
Iowa | 1947 | |
Kansas | 1958 | |
Kentucky | 2017 | |
Louisiana | 1976 | |
Mississippi | 1960 | 1954 |
Nebraska | 1946 | 1947 |
Nevada | 1952 | |
North Carolina | 1947 | |
North Dakota | 1947 | |
Oklahoma | 2001 | 2001 |
South Carolina | 1954 | |
South Dakota | 1946 | 1947 |
Tennessee | 2022 | 1947 |
Texas | 1993 | |
Utah | 1955 | |
Virginia | 1947 | |
Wisconsin | 2015 | |
West Virginia | 2016 | |
Wyoming | 1963 |
Sources: U.S. Dept. of Labor, state websites
Right to Work in US
Right-to-work laws are a significant and often divisive topic within US labor law. These laws exist at the state level and have a substantial impact on workers’ rights, union power, and the overall economic landscape. Understanding the core principles of right-to-work legislation is essential for both employees and businesses operating within states that have enacted such laws.