Unionization and Right to Work
Unionization and the Right to Work
Historically labor unions have ensured workers receive
adequate compensation for their labors and are protected in the work place but
concerns have developed that forced
union dues are used to support political causes that some union members may
oppose. We support
the right of all workers to associate or not associate in labor unions as they
see fit, and an employer should have the right to recognize or refuse to
recognize a union.
Enter Right to Work laws.
Right to Work
became a political issue as a result of the 1935 National Labor Relations Act
(NLRA), through which Congress, for the first time, gave Organized Labor
statutory sanction to get workers fired for refusal to join a union.
In 1947,
Congress overrode President Truman’s veto to enact revisions to the NLRA, known
as the Taft-Hartley Act. Taft-Hartley did not change the NLRA’s forced-unionism
provisions, but the Right to Work clause, Section 14(b), did formally recognize
states’ prerogative to enact Right to Work laws.
In a February
2011 survey conducted by Frank Luntz, 80% of union workers polled chose the
Right To Work which allows individual to freely choose whether or not to belong
or pay fees to a union.
http://www.nrtwc.org/FactSheets/2010NationalRightToWorkLuntzUnionMemberSurvey.pdf (question #47)
When asked, workers choose freedom, even
union workers. In Frank Luntz’ recent poll, 80% of union members chose the
Right To Work which allows individuals to freely choose whether or not to
belong or pay fees to a union. Here is the question Luntz’ pollsters asked
union members across the country:
Please tell me whether you strongly agree,
somewhat agree, somewhat disagree or strongly disagree with the following
statement: “Workers should have the
right to decide whether to join a union. They should never be forced or coerced
to join or pay dues to a union as a condition of employment.”
We strongly support the right of every American
worker to earn a decent wage and to be protected from abuses in the workplace. However,
concerns over the allocation of union membership dues to political causes that
the worker may not support have led many to relocate to states with Right To
Work laws (currently 22 states). We strongly recommend that states
provide the protection that workers need and deserve