Worker Advocate Hails Introduction of National Right to Work Act

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

Washington, DC (March 8, 2011) – Responding to Senator Jim DeMint’s introduction of a National Right to Work Act, National Right to Work Committee and National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation President Mark Mix issued the following statement:

“We’re extremely pleased that Senator DeMint has introduced a National Right to Work Act, intensifying a growing debate about labor law and worker freedom. This legislation would enshrine the common-sense principle – already enforced in 22 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. A National Right to Work Act does not add a single word to federal law. It simply removes language in the National Labor Relations Act that gives union officials the power to extract dues from nonunion workers.

“The case for Right to Work has always rested on the principles of employee freedom, but passage of a National Right to Work law will also pay economic dividends. Studies demonstrate that Right to Work states enjoyed nearly seven percent private sector job growth over the past decade while their forced-unionism counterparts lost nearly three percent of their private sector jobs. On average, Right to Work states experienced over 20 percent GDP growth during the same period, compared to just seven percent growth for states without Right to Work protections. Moreover, citizens are increasingly voting with their feet and leaving non-Right to Work states in droves for their Right to Work neighbors

“The Right to Work principle is also popular with the public. Polls consistently show that 80 percent of Americans believe that no worker should be forced to join or pay dues to a union just to get or keep a job.

“A National Right to Work Act enshrines worker freedom while providing significant economic benefits. For Senator DeMint’s colleagues, who will now consider the legislation, my question is simple: What’s not to like?”

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The National Right to Work Committee, established in 1955, is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, single-purpose citizens’ organization dedicated to the principle that all Americans must have the right to join a union if they choose to, but none should ever be forced to affiliate with a union in order to get or keep a job. Its web address is nrtwc.org.