right-to-work

American  

[rahyt-tuh-wurk] / ˈraɪt təˈwɜrk /

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.

---

Etymology

Origin of right-to-work

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

Example Sentences

Even in right-to-work states, workers who opt out of union membership are still bound by the union contract and barred from negotiating on their own behalf.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 15, 2025

Yvette Cooper has announced plans to expand the range of companies that can be fined for not carrying out right-to-work checks on casual workers.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2025

A right-to-work status is not required to apply for this grant.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 11, 2025

“Further, 27 states already had right-to-work laws on the books at the time Janus was decided, so union membership was already optional for public employees in those states,” the report said.

From Washington Times • Jun. 25, 2023

Edu no longer had his tourist visa and was in the process of securing approval for his right-to-work documentation when we spoke.

From Salon • May 4, 2023