Congressman Sherman & Senator Elizabeth Warren Introduce the Nationwide Right to Unionize Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Brad Sherman (CA-32) and Senator Elizabeth Warren(Massachusetts), today announced the introduction of the Nationwide Right to Unionize Act -- legislation that would eliminate so-called ‘right-to-work' laws nationwide.

"‘Right-to-work' laws are really ‘right to work for less' laws – they're union-busting and hurt workers, plain and simple," said Congressman Sherman. "In an ill-conceived effort to attract business, one state after another has adopted these anti-union laws in a race to the bottom. That is why I am proud to partner with Senator Warren to re-introduce the National Right to Unionize Act – legislation that would eliminate so-called ‘right to work' laws and protect working families nationwide. I've introduced this bill in every session of Congress since 2008."

"Republicans brand their so-called ‘right-to-work' laws under the guise of personal choice and freedom, when in reality, these laws only weaken unions and strip workers of their power," said Senator Elizabeth Warren. "Strong unions mean higher wages, better benefits, and real freedom for workers – they are the foundation of a thriving economy that works from the bottom-up and middle-out, and we'll keep fighting to protect the right to unionize."

So-called ‘right-to-work' laws have come to be known as ‘right-to-work-for-less' laws. According to state-level annual wage data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2022, wages in ‘right-to-work' states average $10,149 a year less than workers in states where workers can really organize unions.

Today, this bill has 15 original cosponsors in the House. Sherman expects to add additional House cosponsors in the coming weeks. Sherman consistently earns a 100 percent rating from the AFL-CIO.

Before his passing, the late great President of the AFL-CIO, Richard Trumka, said:"With the introduction of legislation banning so-called ‘right-to-work' laws, Congressman Sherman and Senator Warren have once again demonstrated their strong commitment to working families. Right-to-work' laws undermine the economy and weaken worker's ability to bargain for better working conditions, which translates into lower pay and fewer benefits for everyone."

In 1947, Section 14(b) of the Taft Hartley Act (an Act that passed by overriding President Truman's veto) allowed states to pass legislation that eliminates the ability of unions to collect dues from those who benefit from union contracts. The result encourages a race to the bottom, as states compete to attract employers by offering weak labor laws and, consequently, lower wages. Some 27 states have adopted so called "right-to-work" laws. Michigan and Wisconsin have adopted such laws claiming they had to do so to avoid losing jobs to neighboring states. The Sherman-Warren legislation would repeal Section 14(b) of the Taft Hartley Act and end "right-to-work" nationwide.

For the full text of the Nationwide Right to Unionize Act, click here.

###