{"id":372133,"date":"2016-03-31T21:34:40","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:34:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/connecticut-law\/connecticut-right-to-work-laws.html"},"modified":"2016-06-20T19:50:14","modified_gmt":"2016-06-21T00:50:14","slug":"connecticut-right-to-work-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/connecticut-law\/connecticut-right-to-work-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Connecticut Right to Work Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Connecticut Right to Work Laws<\/h1>\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last reviewed\n

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One of the most controversial issues in labor law today are the so-called \u201cright to work\u201d laws. How right to work laws are regulated varies by state, but generally they prohibit union membership from being a requirement for employment or, said another way, forbid both unions and employers from denying a non-union employee a job just because of his or her non-union status.<\/p>\n

Approximately half of U.S. states have these laws. Connecticut is not a \u201cright to work\u201d state. The research appears to be divided as to the outcomes of right-to-work laws, although there are pluses and minuses on both sides. Whether right-to-work legislation directly hurts or helps a state’s economy is still up for debate.<\/p>\n

Proponents and Opponents of Right-to-Work Laws<\/h2>\n

Proponents of right to work laws claim that employees have the right to decide for themselves<\/a> whether to join or financially support unions. States with right to work laws have had more business growth, as demonstrated by all new auto plants<\/a> built in the United States in the early 2000s were built in right-to-work states.<\/p>\n

Unions and many worker-rights organizations don\u2019t support the \u201cright to work\u201d laws. For unions, the self-interest is clear, if people don\u2019t have to join unions as part of a job, maybe they won\u2019t. Those individuals may hope that others keep the union going so that they can \u201cfree-load\u201d themselves into having the same benefits without the cost.<\/p>\n

For low-income worker rights activists, research does suggest that states with unions have higher rates of pay and more benefits<\/a> than states without unions. This includes fewer business offering health and other benefits. While businesses can be increased in right-to-work states, the gains generally go to the employers while the employees received fewer benefits.<\/p>\n

Changing the Status Quo<\/h2>\n

Again, Connecticut<\/a> doesn\u2019t currently have any statutory provisions, constitutional amendments, or other laws about limiting employers and unions from working together to require workers join a union. If you want to change the law in Connecticut, you should organize with other like-minded individuals. This is true whether you want a right-to-work form of law or a law prohibiting this type of law from being enacted. Either way, it\u2019s a good idea to speak with your local representatives, consult with a professional lobbyist, and possibly a non-profit organization lawyer<\/a> to create a legal entity for your cause.<\/p>\n

Note:<\/i><\/b> State laws are constantly being updated. It\u2019s important to confirm the accuracy of any laws you are reviewing by either conducting your own legal research or asking a knowledgeable Connecticut employment attorney<\/a>.<\/i><\/p>\n

Research the Law<\/h2>\n