Important Notice
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The
Truth About Right to Work Frequently
Asked Questions about Right to Work:
Q:
What is a so called "Right to Work" Law? A:
It's a loophole created under Section 14(b) of the National Labor
Relations Act (NLRA) that allows a state to enact a law prohibiting
union security clauses in union contracts. It was enacted as part of the
1947 Taft-Hartley Act, a major anti-worker overhaul of Federal labor law
pushed through by the 80th Congress despite a veto by President Harry
Truman. It is worth noting that this was the first Republican controlled
Congress since 1932. *** Q:
What's a union security clause? A:
A union security clause requires all workers who receive the benefits of
a collective bargaining agreement (also called a union contract) to
share the costs of the administration of that agreement. A Right to Work
law prohibits a union security clause thus creating a "Right to
Freeload" law. *** Q:
Can workers be forced to join a union before getting a job? A:
No. Under Federal law no one can be forced to join a union before
getting a job. That's called a "closed shop" and has been
illegal under the National Labor Relations Act for years. *** Q:
The Right to Work supporters keep talking
about "compulsory" unionism. Do all workers have to be union
members when there is a union security clause in a contract? A:
No. "Compulsory" unionism is a boogeyman created by folks with
an anti-worker agenda. Again, under Federal law workers cannot ever be
forced to join a union even when there is a union security clause in the
contract. This has been part of the law for years. *** Q:
Do Right to Work laws affect wages and benefits? A:
Yes. The real data shows that once "Right to Work" laws are
enacted, they lower wages and benefits for all workers. Workers in
"Right to Work" states earn far less then their counterparts
in Non-Right to Work states. The same thing happens to benefits. *** Q:
Do so called "Right to Work" laws promote new industries and
economic development? A:
No. Companies locate in a state for many reasons. If a company does
consider locating in a state because of a "Right to Work" law,
it's because of lower wages and benefits. Purposely enacting laws to
lower wages and benefits for all workers in order to lure low-paying
jobs to the state is not a sound economic plan for *** Q:
But won't a "Right to Work" law improve a state's overall
business climate? A:
No. In fact, it has the opposite effect. It will create a climate in
which businesses will increase profits because of lower wages, but
that's not good for the state or its workers. When wages fall, state
revenues from income tax and sales tax fall, as well..
That means the state has far less funding available to finance
education, transportation, and other programs that are vital to
attracting new industries and businesses. *** Q:
What about the reports from the National Institute for Labor Relations
Research (NILRR) that the "Right to Work" supporters
distribute about increased economic development in states with
"Right to Work" laws? A:
The National Institute for Labor Relations Research (NILRR) is an arm of
the National Right to Work Committee and they have an anti-union
political agenda. Further, many people have raised serious questions and
doubts about their research methodology. There are many reports
available from reliable sources that completely contradict the NILRR. If
you see other reports from Right to Work supporters, look to see if
they're quoting data from the NILRR. *** Q:
What is the National Right to Work Committee (NRTWC)? A:
It is an anti-union, special interest, out-of-state organization based
in There
are actually three branches of the National Right to Work Committee even
though they don't appear to be the same organization. Additionally, they
set up or advise state "Right to Work" committees. The three
NRTWC branches are: .
National Right to Work Committee (NRTWC) .
National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation (NRTWLDF) .
National Insitute for Labor Relations
Research (NILRR) 2003
gross receipts for the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation (NRTWLDF)
were over 11 million dollars. It is very well funded. Although the NRTWC
criticizes unions for opposing freeloaders, it has Visa and Mastercard
links right on its home page soliciting money. The Foundation has a link
soliciting for money on its home page as well. *** Q:
Does a "Right to Work" law guarantee me a job or the
"right" to a job? A:
No. Right to Work laws have nothing to do with creating or providing
jobs for workers. *** Q:
Does a "Right to Work" law protect me from losing my job? A:
No. *** Q:
So under "at-will" employment my employer can fire me for no
reason and the "Right to Work" law does nothing to stop this? A:
Correct. A Right to Work law does not guarantee any right to
"work" nor does it stop an employer from firing you under the
at-will doctrine.
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