Right to Work - The Facts

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 that allows a state to enact a law prohibiting union security clauses in union contracts. It was enacted as part of the 1947 Taft-Hartly Act, a major anti-worker overhaul of Federal labor law pushed through 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 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 Free load" law.