Ban Right-to-Work Laws

A worker alone is powerless against the machinery of greed. Right-to-work laws, masked in false freedom, weaken unions, suppress wages, and strip workers of their collective strength. They do not protect jobs—they protect exploitation.

The solution is clear: Ban right-to-work laws. A strong workforce is an organized one. Unions lift wages, secure benefits, and give workers a voice at the table. Where unions thrive, so does the middle class.

This is not radical—it is fair. No one should reap the rewards of collective bargaining without contributing to it. No worker should be forced into poverty while corporations boast record profits. Labor built this nation; labor deserves protection.

Action must follow conviction. Repeal anti-union laws. Pass federal protections for collective bargaining. Support strikes, organize workplaces, and elect leaders who stand with workers—not against them.

A fair wage, a safe workplace, a voice in one’s future—these are not gifts, they are rights. Strengthen unions, and we strengthen America. The time to act is now.

Key Stats

1. Union Membership Decline: In right-to-work states, union membership rates are about 7%, compared to roughly 12% in non–right-to-work states—a decline of nearly 40%, reflecting diminished collective bargaining power that directly impacts wages and workplace protections.

2. Wage Suppression: Research from the Economic Policy Institute indicates that workers in right-to-work states earn 3–4% less on average than their counterparts in states with strong union protections, translating to an estimated annual wage loss of around $1,200 per worker.

3. Benefits Deficiency: Studies show that employees in right-to-work states are approximately 30% less likely to have access to comprehensive employer-sponsored benefits, such as health insurance and retirement plans, leaving workers more vulnerable to economic shocks.

4. Increased Income Inequality: Data reveals that right-to-work policies are linked to a 15% higher income inequality index (Gini coefficient) compared to states with robust union presence, exacerbating the wealth gap and eroding the middle class.

5. Economic Impact on the Middle Class: Analyses suggest that the erosion of union power in right-to-work states correlates with a 20% reduction in middle-class income growth over the past two decades, undermining local economies by reducing consumer spending and stifling small business growth.

Our Allies

1. AFL–CIO
   The largest federation of unions in the United States, the AFL–CIO leads the fight against right-to-work laws by promoting workplace solidarity and robust labor protections.

2. Change to Win Federation
   A coalition of unions (including many large, influential unions) that pushes for worker power and opposes policies—like right-to-work—that undermine collective bargaining.

3. Service Employees International Union (SEIU)
   SEIU represents millions of workers across various sectors and actively campaigns against right-to-work laws, which they argue weaken unions and hurt worker wages and benefits.

4. American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)
   This union fights for the rights of public service workers and opposes right-to-work laws, asserting that these laws erode the bargaining power necessary to secure fair working conditions.

5. United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW)
   UFCW advocates for improved labor standards in the private sector and opposes right-to-work measures that weaken worker protections and reduce union influence.

6. National Education Association (NEA)
   As one of the nation’s largest professional organizations for educators, NEA opposes right-to-work laws because they undermine the collective bargaining rights that help secure better pay and working conditions for teachers.

7. United Auto Workers (UAW)
   The UAW actively campaigns against policies that dilute union power, including right-to-work laws, which they view as detrimental to the auto industry workforce and other manufacturing sectors.

8. International Brotherhood of Teamsters
   Representing workers across a wide range of industries, the Teamsters organization opposes right-to-work laws that limit union strength and the ability to negotiate fair contracts.

10 Steps

1. Conduct a Comprehensive Labor Policy Audit
   Utilize data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Economic Policy Institute, and National Employment Law Project to quantify the impact of right-to-work (RTW) laws. Research indicates that union membership in RTW states is up to 30% lower and wages can be 4–6% lower compared to non-RTW states. This audit will detail regional wage disparities, reduced benefits, and the erosion of collective bargaining power, establishing a robust, data-driven baseline for reform.

2. Build a Multi-Stakeholder Labor Coalition
   Assemble a coalition comprising major unions (e.g., AFL-CIO, SEIU, Teamsters), worker advocacy groups, community organizations, and academic experts on labor economics. Convene an inaugural summit with representatives from at least 50 organizations nationwide to pool research, share best practices, and coordinate messaging. This united front will amplify the call to repeal RTW laws and restore fair labor standards.

3. Develop a Detailed Legislative and Policy Agenda
   Craft a comprehensive policy blueprint that calls for the repeal of RTW laws at the federal level. Proposals should mandate that workers benefiting from union-negotiated contracts contribute to the costs of collective bargaining. Set measurable benchmarks—such as increasing union membership by 20% in targeted regions within five years and closing the wage gap identified in the audit—to guide policymakers using evidence from comparative studies.

4. Launch a Data-Driven Public Awareness Campaign
   Leverage compelling statistics and personal narratives to educate the public on how RTW laws suppress wages and weaken worker protections. For instance, studies have shown that unionized workers earn, on average, 10–20% more than non-union counterparts and enjoy better benefits. Deploy a multi-platform media strategy—including social media, interactive webinars, and community town halls—with a goal of reaching 2 million people and increasing public support for repealing RTW laws by at least 25% within one year.

5. Implement Targeted Lobbying and Policy Advocacy
   Organize strategic meetings, policy briefings, and public hearings with key legislators, especially those on labor, budget, and economic committees. Present the legislative agenda alongside hard data—such as research demonstrating that repealing RTW laws can boost local economies by increasing consumer spending—and firsthand testimonies from affected workers. Aim to secure commitments from at least 30 influential policymakers to sponsor federal efforts against RTW laws.

6. Mobilize Grassroots and Community Action
   Coordinate with local unions, worker centers, and community organizers to launch rallies, petition drives, and digital campaigns demanding the repeal of RTW laws. Distribute comprehensive advocacy toolkits—including sample letters, social media graphics, and guidelines for contacting representatives—to empower communities. Set measurable targets, such as a 40% increase in grassroots events and collecting over 500,000 petition signatures nationwide within 18 months.

7. Establish a Legal Defense and Rapid Response Team
   Form a dedicated legal unit drawing on expertise from public interest law firms and organizations like the ACLU to challenge RTW provisions in court. This team should be prepared to initiate legal challenges within 48 hours of any attempts to reinstate or enforce these laws. Historical precedents demonstrate that swift legal intervention can secure important labor rights and deter future efforts to weaken collective bargaining.

8. Implement Robust Monitoring and Accountability Mechanisms
   Create an independent oversight board comprising labor economists, former labor officials, and representatives from worker advocacy groups. Develop a publicly accessible dashboard—updated quarterly—with key performance indicators such as changes in union membership, wage growth in repealed RTW regions, and improvements in worker benefits. This transparency will enable continuous evaluation and timely policy adjustments.

9. Engage in Strategic Electoral Politics
   Identify and support political candidates with a strong commitment to workers’ rights and union protections. Organize targeted voter registration drives and issue-based campaigns in key swing districts using data from organizations like the Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning & Engagement (CIRCLE) to focus outreach. Mobilize tens of thousands of new, labor-focused voters before the next election cycle to reshape the political landscape in favor of repealing RTW laws.

10. Institutionalize Labor Rights for Long-Term Impact
    Partner with universities, think tanks, and policy institutes to develop standardized training programs and policy manuals that embed strong labor rights into federal and state governance frameworks. Establish permanent commissions—such as a National Commission on Fair Labor Practices—to review and update labor policies every two years. Commission longitudinal studies to assess long-term impacts on wages, union strength, and economic equality, ensuring that labor reforms evolve with emerging evidence and societal needs.