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.

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Etymology

Origin of right-to-work

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

right-to-work

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

All riders, including substitutes, must complete right-to-work checks and there is daily identity verification and new checks on new devices, they said.

From BBC ● Jun. 24, 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

Accidents can make them "visible", jeopardizing both their immediate ability to work and any future prospect of securing legitimate right-to-work status.

From Salon ● May 4, 2023