Bill Overview
Title: National Right-to-Work Act
Description: This bill repeals those provisions of the National Labor Relations Act and the Railway Labor Act that permit employers to make an agreement with a labor union to require employees to join such union as a condition of employment. Currently, 28 states have enacted laws prohibiting employers from compelling employees to become members of a union as a condition of employment.
Sponsors: Sen. Paul, Rand [R-KY]
Target Audience
Population: Workers who could be subject to compulsory union membership
Estimated Size: 5000000
- The Right-to-Work Act affects the labor market, specifically employees who might be subject to compulsory union membership.
- Unions represent a substantial workforce; about 14 million workers are part of unions in the U.S.
- If enacted, employees in states without right-to-work laws would be free from mandatory union membership.
- In non-right-to-work states, approximately 43% of the U.S. population resides in states where union security agreements can currently be enforced.
- Globally, labor laws and union membership vary greatly, but many countries do not have compulsory union membership laws or handle them differently.
Reasoning
- The Right-to-Work Act primarily impacts workers in states where compulsory union membership agreements are currently permitted, which is about 22 states.
- The target population includes about 5 million American workers who may be affected by changes to union membership rules.
- In considering the impact, unions often provide collective bargaining power, job security provisions, and other benefits, which may be altered by such policies.
- Some workers may appreciate increased choice and freedom not to join a union, while others may fear losing union-provided benefits.
- Budgetary constraints may affect outreach and educational efforts about policy impacts.
Simulated Interviews
Factory Worker (Michigan)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I value the job security and benefits that my union provides.
- I'm worried that removing compulsory membership will weaken our bargaining power.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 5 |
Public School Teacher (California)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The union has been instrumental in securing better pay and classroom conditions.
- I'm concerned that a weakened union could negatively affect education quality.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 6 |
Retail Worker (Kentucky)
Age: 29 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've never had to join a union here, but I appreciate having the choice.
- I'm mostly neutral about this change as it doesn't directly apply here.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Construction Worker (New York)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm very concerned about this policy. Our union has fought hard for safety standards and wages.
- I fear this will lead to decreased worker protections.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 3 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 2 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 2 | 5 |
Healthcare Worker (Texas)
Age: 41 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I want the option to join a union to negotiate better work conditions.
- If joining is truly optional, I support giving people that choice.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Automotive Technician (Ohio)
Age: 37 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Without compulsory membership, fewer members may weaken our benefits.
- I rely heavily on the union for my healthcare needs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 3 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 2 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 2 | 5 |
Software Developer (Florida)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 20/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This really doesn’t impact me in my field.
- I hope it doesn't lead to broader workforce issues.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Retired Teacher (Illinois)
Age: 63 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- During my career, unions played a critical role in support and negotiations.
- I worry about the future of new teachers without strong unions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 8 |
Logistics Manager (Georgia)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think this policy could encourage unions to be more service-focused.
- I'm curious about how it impacts labor relations and competition.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 6 |
Postal Worker (New Jersey)
Age: 50 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Our union has helped maintain fair wages. Losing membership could hurt negotiations.
- I am concerned about possible privatization.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 3 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $30000000 (Low: $20000000, High: $50000000)
Year 2: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $20000000)
Year 3: $10000000 (Low: $5000000, High: $15000000)
Year 5: $5000000 (Low: $2000000, High: $10000000)
Year 10: $2000000 (Low: $1000000, High: $5000000)
Year 100: $1000000 (Low: $500000, High: $3000000)
Key Considerations
- 200,000 workers might choose not to join unions if no longer required.
- The balance between state and federal labor laws could be contentious.
- Overall economic impact depends on productivity gains from increased labor flexibility.