The nature of this paper is to provide the meaning of the Right to Work law, and it has changed over the years.
There will be countless viewpoints on the topic how it affect the employees and employers. We will also look at the view point and outlook from both side. There will also be personal view covered on how the Right to Work have clashed with state laws and what the future may hold for labor relations.According to National Right to Work, the ‘Right to Work’ is a law that gives all American the ability to work for a living without being compelled to belonging to a union. The history of the Right to Work law as we know has evolved over the past few decades. During its early years it was best known as the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) of 1935 was produced under the Roosevelt administration. (fdrlibrary.org).
The NLRA has been modified numerous times, from the Wagner Act in 1935 then transitioned to the Taft-Harley Act of 1947 to its current stage known as the Right to Work law. With this law being place the white people felt as if their hands were tied because either they worked with the black or lose their jobs. During the 1930s, Federal labor laws permitted and support the growth of obligatory unions agreement among union officials and employers, coerce a considerable number of employees to pay into a union as a condition of employment (nrtw.
org). This law was copied be legislation prohibiting unions from forming strikes on workers. The state of Arkansas was the first state to enforce The Right to Work law in November 7, 1944. In the year of 1955 the Committee had lobbies the Congress and state legislature for the displacement of all forms of compelled unionism.
As of today, there are only 28 states out of 50 that have passed Right to Work law. This law also gives the workers in a right-to-work state a better income towards cost of living than those in a non-right-to-work states. Since the beginning to now the Right to Work law has been slowly fading away as many states unionized members are not participating as in the pass. During the Right to Work came a two-sided debate. You had one side that was fighting for the Right to Work and another side that was against it. Democrats mainly Hillary Clinton was totally against it, saying that the law should be made where employees should be allowed the Right to work without joining a union.
While on the other hand Donald Trump is totally for it before he became President, he was one of American’s well-known businessman. Mostly all of his companies employed unionized workers and he was all about what the union brought to him and his businesses. Also, the Republican believes that workers should not be forced to pay to be part of a union (genfkd.org). The “Right to Work” law would be considered ethically sound, it put workers in a position where they can choose to join or not. If the right – to- work law was not available then employer had the right to fire any employee that went against them. Employers figure if you weren’t part of a union then you were freeloading.
They also felt that it was unfair for them to represent employees who don’t pay dues (usnews.com). The right – to – work law is actually good for unions.
It strengthens the support of a union and make the unions work to get support from workers. In so many ways the employer and the employees benefit from this law. The law protects workers by not binding them to pay money to an unwanted union in order to keep their jobs. Plus, if employees don’t see any financial worth then they aren’t required to pay. Employees seem to still be at a disadvantage, finding it hard to maintain job security. The more families see the cost of living rise, they find it harder to support their family. Education cost more, sustainable work is harder to find which lead to no secure retirement.
The Right to Work” law had been steadily on the rise in popularity. More than had the states in America are for the “Right to Work.” According to freedomworks.org statistic from the Bureau of Labor found that between 1990 and 2014, employment grew more than twice as fast in “Right to Work” states than non- “Right to Work” states. Over the years more states are expected to join the Right to Work. As of 2016, RTW was still a discussion of debate between two presidential candidates.
One candidates called the law a nullification while the other promise to fight for union bosses. Even though they view are different the U.S. will continue to move forward.
The “Right to Work” law will be the standing point for a lot of workers and employers as well. It is the opportunity to make a change for many employees for higher wages and more hours to work. This law will make the different in a lot of families as minimum wages slowly change and steady work is as important to keep a house hold together. As some people become grandfather clause into the “right to work” the laws that changes as they join a union will still be in effect. This law effected most of the U.S. living. States that honor the right to work allow more opportunity for economic growth to families that’s working low wages.
Income in theses states are growing tremendously, manufactory and nonagricultural jobs are the perfect employment. If by chance unions were to one day go away, many Americans will lose the benefits they fought so hard for. So as the U.
S. go forward worker will fight to keep the “Right to Work” law intact. As it gives hope to that’s looking for a change and provide a better life for their family. Works Cited:National Right to Work Foundation » A Brief History of the Foundation. (n.d.
). Retrieved March 22, 2018, from http://www.nrtw.
org/a-brief-history-of-the-foundation/Right-to-Work: What it is and how it works. (n.d.). Retrieved March 22, 2018, from https://www.
washingtonpolicy.org/publications/detail/right-to-work-what-it-is-and-how-it-worksAmes, M. (2012, December 12). You Hate “Right To Work” Laws More Than You Know.
Here’s Why. Retrieved March 22, 2018, from https://www.nsfwcorp.com/dispatch/right-to-work/FDR and the Wagner Act. (n.d.). Retrieved March 22, 2018, from https://fdrlibrary.
org/wagner-actThe Donald Trump Right to Work Plan: Gives ‘Great Flexibility’. (2017, January 18). Retrieved March 25, 2018, from http://www.genfkd.org/donald-trump-right-work-plan-gives-great-flexibilityMerline, J. (2016, September 22).
Hillary Clinton Declares War On The Right To Work | Stock News & Stock Market Analysis – IBD. Retrieved March 25, 2018, from https://www.investors.com/politics/commentary/hillary-clinton-declares-war-on-the-right-to-work/Right-to-Work Laws Put Employees in the Driver’s Seat. (n.
d.). Retrieved March 25, 2018, from https://www.usnews.com/debate-club/are-right-to-work-laws-good-for-states/right-to-work-laws-put-employees-in-the-drivers-seat
