right-to-work

[ rahyt-tuh-wurk ]

adjective

1. being or relating to legislation that prohibits employers from forcing employees to join a union or pay dues to a union if they are not a member of that union:

   The organization spearheaded right-to-work campaigns and worked to pass anti-strike laws in four states.

   Organized labor activists made demands to repeal right-to-work laws.

Word History and Origins

Origin of right-to-work¹

First recorded in 1890–95, for an earlier sense; 1920–25, for the current sense

Example Sentences

Two years ago, lawmakers in this staunch pro-labor stronghold passed anti-union right-to-work laws.

From The Daily Beast

Right-to-work laws have been around for decades, and in Michigan the slope began slipping within individual contract negotiations.

From The Daily Beast

There are also right-to-work states like Nevada where unions remain powerful.

From The Daily Beast

On the flipside, overall wages and benefits are lower in right-to-work states.

From The Daily Beast

He supports a federal version of the Arizona immigration law and right-to-work legislation.

From The Daily Beast

Forced labour for the loafer is still more an English tradition, though, like the Right-to-Work principle, long disregarded.

From Project Gutenberg