All Comparison Tables
Right to Work States
Compare right-to-work status, year enacted, and key provisions affecting union membership requirements across all 50 states.
50 States3 data columnsLast updated: 2025-12-15
Click any column header to sort ascending or descending. Click again to reverse, and a third time to reset.
| State | Status | Year Enacted | Key Provisions |
|---|---|---|---|
| AL - Alabama | Right to Work | 1953 | Constitutional amendment prohibiting mandatory union membership |
| AK - Alaska | Not Right to Work | N/A | Unions may negotiate union security agreements |
| AZ - Arizona | Right to Work | 1946 | Constitutional provision; cannot require union membership for employment |
| AR - Arkansas | Right to Work | 1944 | Constitutional amendment; freedom of employment regardless of union status |
| CA - California | Not Right to Work | N/A | Union security agreements permitted under state law |
| CO - Colorado | Not Right to Work | N/A | Labor Peace Act allows union security clauses |
| CT - Connecticut | Not Right to Work | N/A | Strong union protections; no right-to-work legislation |
| DE - Delaware | Not Right to Work | N/A | Union security agreements allowed |
| FL - Florida | Right to Work | 1944 | Constitutional provision (Art. I, § 6); no compulsory union dues |
| GA - Georgia | Right to Work | 1947 | Statutory right-to-work; cannot condition employment on union membership |
| HI - Hawaii | Not Right to Work | N/A | Strong union state; agency shop agreements common |
| ID - Idaho | Right to Work | 1985 | Statutory protection; employees cannot be forced to join union |
| IL - Illinois | Not Right to Work | N/A | Workers' Rights Amendment added in 2022 protecting collective bargaining |
| IN - Indiana | Right to Work | 2012 | Statutory; prohibits mandatory union fees as condition of employment |
| IA - Iowa | Right to Work | 1947 | Statutory right-to-work; restricts union security agreements |
| KS - Kansas | Right to Work | 1958 | Constitutional amendment; protects freedom from compulsory union membership |
| KY - Kentucky | Right to Work | 2017 | Statutory; prohibits requiring union membership or dues payment |
| LA - Louisiana | Right to Work | 1976 | Statutory right-to-work; no compulsory union membership or fees |
| ME - Maine | Not Right to Work | N/A | Union security agreements allowed under state law |
| MD - Maryland | Not Right to Work | N/A | No right-to-work legislation; union security clauses permitted |
| MA - Massachusetts | Not Right to Work | N/A | Strong union protections; agency fee agreements permitted |
| MI - Michigan | Not Right to Work | Repealed 2024 | Right-to-work law enacted 2013 but repealed in 2024 |
| MN - Minnesota | Not Right to Work | N/A | Union-friendly state; no right-to-work provisions |
| MS - Mississippi | Right to Work | 1954 | Constitutional provision; cannot deny employment for non-union status |
| MO - Missouri | Not Right to Work | Repealed 2018 (voter referendum) | Right-to-work law passed 2017 but overturned by voters in 2018 referendum |
| MT - Montana | Not Right to Work | N/A | Union security agreements permitted |
| NE - Nebraska | Right to Work | 1946 | Constitutional provision; protects right to work regardless of union status |
| NV - Nevada | Right to Work | 1951 | Statutory right-to-work; cannot require union membership for employment |
| NH - New Hampshire | Not Right to Work | N/A | Multiple failed attempts to pass right-to-work legislation |
| NJ - New Jersey | Not Right to Work | N/A | Union security agreements permitted |
| NM - New Mexico | Not Right to Work | N/A | No state right-to-work law; some local ordinances exist |
| NY - New York | Not Right to Work | N/A | Strong union protections; agency shop permitted |
| NC - North Carolina | Right to Work | 1947 | Statutory right-to-work; lowest union membership rate nationally |
| ND - North Dakota | Right to Work | 1947 | Statutory right-to-work; no mandatory union dues |
| OH - Ohio | Not Right to Work | N/A | Union security agreements permitted; attempted legislation defeated |
| OK - Oklahoma | Right to Work | 2001 | Constitutional amendment approved by voters |
| OR - Oregon | Not Right to Work | N/A | Union security agreements allowed |
| PA - Pennsylvania | Not Right to Work | N/A | No right-to-work law; union security agreements permitted |
| RI - Rhode Island | Not Right to Work | N/A | Union security agreements permitted |
| SC - South Carolina | Right to Work | 1954 | Statutory right-to-work; very low unionization rate |
| SD - South Dakota | Right to Work | 1946 | Statutory right-to-work; no compulsory union membership |
| TN - Tennessee | Right to Work | 1947 | Statutory and constitutional (2022 amendment) right-to-work |
| TX - Texas | Right to Work | 1993 | Statutory right-to-work; extensive anti-union provisions |
| UT - Utah | Right to Work | 1955 | Statutory right-to-work; no compulsory union dues |
| VT - Vermont | Not Right to Work | N/A | Union security agreements permitted |
| VA - Virginia | Right to Work | 1947 | Statutory right-to-work; cannot require union membership |
| WA - Washington | Not Right to Work | N/A | Strong union protections; no right-to-work law |
| WV - West Virginia | Right to Work | 2016 | Statutory right-to-work; prohibits mandatory union fees |
| WI - Wisconsin | Right to Work | 2015 | Statutory right-to-work; also restricted public sector bargaining (Act 10) |
| WY - Wyoming | Right to Work | 1963 | Statutory right-to-work; cannot deny employment based on union status |
This information is provided for general educational purposes only and may not reflect the most recent legislative changes. Always verify current law with official state sources or consult a licensed attorney in the relevant jurisdiction.