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

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Brad Sherman and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts) today reintroduced the Nationwide Right to Unionize Act, legislation that would strike down so-called “right-to-work” laws across the country.

“‘Right-to-work’ really means ‘right-to-work-for-less.’ These laws are designed to weaken unions and drive down wages,” said Congressman Sherman. “In the name of economic competition, one state after another has adopted these anti-worker statutes, triggering a race to the bottom. That’s why I am once again joining forces with Senator Warren to put forward the Nationwide Right to Unionize Act, which repeals these anti-union laws. I’ve introduced this measure every session of Congress since 2008 because the need to stand up for America’s workers has never gone away. Senator Warren has been a fearless advocate for working people her entire career, and I’m proud to partner with her to fight back against attacks on labor and rebuild the middle class.”

“Building a strong economy means empowering workers, not silencing them with so-called ‘right-to-work’ laws that strip them of their power and weaken unions,” said Senator Warren. “While the Trump administration continues to threaten our economy by attacking our workers, we’re stepping up to defend worker’s rights to negotiate better benefits and wages.”

Data shows the harm caused by these laws. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics figures from 2022, workers in “right-to-work” states earned on average $10,149 less per year than workers in states where unions can bargain fairly.

The bill currently has 15 original cosponsors in the House, with more expected in the coming weeks. Congressman Sherman has consistently earned a 100 percent rating from the AFL-CIO for his record of supporting working families.

Before his passing, the late AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka underscored the importance of this legislation, noting: "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 workers’ ability to bargain for better working conditions, which translates into lower pay and fewer benefits for everyone."

The roots of these state laws trace back to Section 14(b) of the Taft-Hartley Act, enacted in 1947 over President Truman’s veto. That provision allowed states to bar unions from collecting dues from employees who still benefit from union contracts. Since then, 27 states have enacted such measures, often citing competitive pressure from neighboring states. Michigan and Wisconsin, for example, claimed they were forced to adopt “right-to-work” to retain jobs.

The Sherman–Warren bill would repeal Section 14(b), finally ending the “race to the bottom” by restoring the full right of workers nationwide to organize and bargain collectively.

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