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What I’ve Been Reading This Week: Right to Work Edition


The U.S. Supreme Court made its long awaited ruling in Janus v. AFSCME earlier this week.  That development needs no introduction as readers have surely heard about the Court's decision and seen the immediate implications of what that ruling could mean for labor unions.  Rather than rehash that decision just a few days later, I thought it would be appropriate to instead look at a few other right to work matters pending across the country.

As always, below are a couple articles that caught my eye this week.


Could Supporters of a Right to Work Bill In New Hampshire Use Janus As a Springboard?

Todd Bookman wrote a brief note that highlighted a somewhat renewed sense of optimism among Republicans in New Hampshire that have thus far failed to get a right to work bill passed in the state.  Although several attempts have been made in the past few years (despite appearing to have the votes to pass a bill), New Hampshire has yet to join the growing ranks of right to work states.  Could the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Janus be the shot in the arm to finally get a statewide law passed?  Perhaps.  But as Bookman notes, advocates of right to work in New Hampshire are feeling a lot more optimistic this week.


Ahead of August Vote on Right to Work in Missouri, Increase in Money To Support/Contest Measure Continues

Readers are likely well aware that the ongoing fight to turn Missouri into a right to work state has been a long and winding road.  Now that voters in the state will have an opportunity to vote on the right to work measure in August, supporters and opponents of right to work have begun to dig in and increase their spending in an effort to sway voters.  As Allison Kite at The Kansas City Star writes, nearly $14 million has been raised so far (which apparently tops a fundraising campaign a few years ago to increase cigarette tax) with still about another month to go before voters head to the poll.  Besides the ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court earlier this week, this is one of the other hot button employment and labor law issues to keep an eye on this summer.

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