Wisconsin Becomes the 25th Right-to-Work State

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker today signed the legislation which now makes Wisconsin the 25th state to approve a Right-to-Work Act.  Wisconsin follows Indiana and Michigan as the two Midwestern states which recently approved similar measures. The Right-to-Work Acts make it illegal for private sector companies to enter into Collective Bargaining Agreements which contain Union Shop clauses which require all workers within the bargaining unit to be members of and pay dues to labor unions. Wisconsin Gov. Walker was quoted by the New York Times today as saying “This freedom-to-work legislation will give workers the freedom to choose whether or not they want to join a union, and employers another compelling reason to consider expanding or moving their business to Wisconsin.” A link to the New York Times story on Wisconsin’s decision is available here. Similar bills are currently pending in Missouri and New Mexico.