Right-To-Work States

What does “right to work” mean?

The “right-to-work” movement is a result of the Taft-Hartley Act, which amended the Wagner Act to include language that affirmed the rights of individual states to enact their own “right-to-work” laws, which make it illegal in those states for employers to compel workers to join or not join, nor to pay dues to, a labor union as a condition of employment.

In states without right-to-work laws, workers who don’t join unions or at least pay some sort of fee can be terminated for such actions. (Employees in right-to-work states can still join a union if they wish, however.)

NOTE: Certain industries and public-sector jobs may have different rules/regulations regarding unionization. Additionally, while we make every effort to update this information as possible, please refer to each state’s labor agency for the most up-to-date information on its right-to-work law.

Which states are right-to-work states?

There are 26 states that have passed “right-to-work” legislation — either by statute or constitutional amendment.

List of right-to-work states:

Right-To-Work Map