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This Just In: Wisconsin Becomes the 25th Right to Work State


Yesterday, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker signed legislation which made Wisconsin the 25th state to approve the Right to Work Act.  

For those unfamiliar with the Right to Work Act, the Act makes 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.  Right to Work laws prevent unions and employers from requiring employees to join a union or pay dues for representation.    

For those unfamiliar with Governor Walker, a recall effort was led in 2012 in an attempt to remove him from office.  A lot of the support (and money) to remove him came from labor unions after Governor Walker had taken a hard line anti-union approach in regard to collective bargaining by state workers within the state.  Of course, Governor Walker's signing of the bill has brought about a lot of opposition, namely from those who criticize the Governor for signing the Act as a way to boost his political clout ahead of an expected 2016 Presidential run.  Given that Republicans are traditionally anti-union, critics of Governor Walker have accused him of singing this Act as a way to boost his stature within the Republican party. 

Regardless of his motivation, this is a big piece of anti-union legislation to come out of a state that has been a traditional union stronghold for many, many years.  


Additional information can be found here:  http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/scott-walker-signs-right-to-work-bill-b99457819z1-295609181.html

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