Rep. Joe Wilson: National Right to Work Act Introduced in 118th United States Congress

Wilson Introduces National Right to Work Act to End Forced Union Dues for Workers

National Right to Work President applauds legislation that would prevent union officials from extracting union dues from workers as a condition of employment.

Washington, D.C. (February 27, 2023) –Today, Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC) introduced the National Right to Work Act (H.R. 1200) in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The one-page bill would end Big Labor’s federally authorized power to force workers to pay union dues or fees as a condition of employment.

Mark Mix, President of the National Right to Work Committee (NRTWC), issued the following statement praising the introduction of the bill:

“We’re extremely pleased that Congressman Wilson has introduced the National Right to Work Act. This legislation would enshrine the common-sense principle — already enforced in more than half of U.S. states — that no worker should be compelled to join or pay dues to a union just to get or keep a job.

“In an age of legislative overreach, this is one of the shortest bills ever introduced. The National Right to Work Act does not add a single word to federal law. It simply removes language in depression-era law that gives union officials the power to extract dues from non-union workers as a condition of employment.”

The bill introduced by Congressman Wilson is part of a two-pronged strategy which consists of building support in Washington for the National Right to Work Act, while at the same time mobilizing opponents of forced unionism to pass their own state Right to Work laws.

Right to Work states have seen increased job growth compared to forced-unionism states, and workers in Right to Work states earn more in real income when cost of living is taken into account.

Mr. Mix continued:

“Right to Work represents a simple, pro-growth policy that also enjoys overwhelming public support.

“In the 118th Congress, every politician in Washington, D.C., faces a simple decision: Will you side with the union bosses in their attempts to force more workers into the shackles of forced unionism, or will you stand up for the rights of workers across America?

“The National Right to Work Act lets workers choose for themselves, while providing significant economic benefits for workers. The National Right to Work Committee is mobilizing its over two million members and supporters to call on their Representatives to make the right decision: Reject Big Labor’s power grabs and support the National Right to Work Act.”

The National Right to Work Act’s introduction comes as President Biden and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer continue to advocate a nationwide repeal of Right to Work.

The contrast for workers could not be clearer, said Mark Mix:

“The National Right to Work Act is a one-page bill that does one simple thing: It lets workers choose for themselves whether a union deserves their support.

“Big Labor’s Pushbutton Unionism Bill, the so-called ‘PRO Act,’ is a massive and monstrous bill that would give union bosses sweeping new powers of coercion over every aspect of the workplace and destroy all 27 state Right to Work laws.

“In contrast, the National Right to Work Act would extend Right to Work protections to every American and, in doing so, finally bring federal law into conformity with the nearly eight of out ten Americans that oppose forced unionism.”