Every American seeking a job—including the millions in the 23 states that presently lack such protection—would be shielded against being forced to join a union as a condition of employment under legislation introduced in Congress on Feb. 27 by South Carolina Republican Rep. Joe Wilson.
“Every American and their employer should have the power to negotiate the terms of their employment, and no American should be forced to pay union dues or ‘fees’ just to get or keep a job,” Wilson told reporters during a news conference in the U.S. Capitol.
“South Carolina is a right-to-work state, and we have seen tremendous economic growth by expanding economic freedom for our businesses. We must continue to work towards promoting job creation and ending automatic unionism for the American people.
“Eighty percent of the people in our country support putting an end to dues as a condition of employment. I am grateful to stand alongside my colleagues to offer protections for workers and their employers.”
Wilson pointed to his state’s status as one of the 27 that have adopted right-to-work laws authorized by Section 14b the 1947 Taft-Hartley Act as a critical factor in South Carolina’s attraction to Boeing, BMW and Volvo, among other major manufacturers, that have established facilities there in recent decades.
“The National Right to Work Act ensures all American workers have the ability to choose to refrain from joining or paying dues to a union as a condition for employment,” said Paul.
“Kentucky and 26 other states have already passed right to work laws. It’s time for the federal government to follow their lead.”
The proposed National Right to Work Act (NRTW) amends the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) to make it consistent with the Taft-Hartley Act and thereby guarantee at the federal level that no worker can be forced to join a union and pay its dues in order to keep his or her job.
Wilson told reporters that workers in the 23 states that lack Section 14b right-to-work laws are only required to join unions because of the NLRA.
National Right to Work Committee President Mark Mix told reporters the NRTW is needed now because labor leaders across the country are pushing hard to repeal many of the existing state-level statutes.
“At a time when Big Labor-backed politicians are trying to repeal every state right-to-work law in the country, Congressman Joe Wilson is introducing bold legislation that will extend right-to-work protections to every American.
“The National Right to Work Act ensures that union dues are voluntary, not forced. We are extremely pleased that Congressman Wilson is introducing this legislation, which represents an important step toward ending forced union dues in America,” Mix said.
“The number of co-sponsors in the House increases every time I ask” for additional support, Wilson said at the outset of the news conference.
Then, when asked about the prospects for passage of the proposal in Congress, which has a Republican House majority and a Senate Democratic majority, Wilson expressed confidence.
“It’s an issue that is right and we will keep fighting,” Wilson added.
