{"id":374637,"date":"2016-03-31T21:35:51","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:35:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ability-fl-prod.internetbrands.com\/ability-law\/state\/montana-law\/montana-right-to-work-laws.html"},"modified":"2016-06-20T19:50:15","modified_gmt":"2016-06-21T00:50:15","slug":"montana-right-to-work-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/montana-law\/montana-right-to-work-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Montana Right to Work Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n \n
\n

Montana Right to Work Laws<\/h1>\n
\n
\n

Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

In the 1940s, many states enacted right-to-work laws<\/a> prohibiting forced union membership<\/a> and payment of forced union dues as a condition of employment. Specifically, these laws state that employment may not be denied on the basis of one’s union membership<\/a>. Several prominent figures throughout history have spoken out against right-to-work laws including the famed Teamsters President Jimmy Hoffa and civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.<\/p>\n

Is Montana A Right-To-Work State?<\/h2>\n

No, Montana is not a right-to-work state. Unlike the implications of the name, right-to-work laws give no right to employment<\/a>. However, they do prohibit employers and unions from negotiating a contract that requires all employees to join a union after hiring or pay all or some portion of union dues that is used for bargaining and representation<\/a> .<\/p>\n

Right To Work Movement Across the United States<\/h2>\n

An increasing number of states has, however, enacted right-to-work laws. These states include (but are not limited to)Wisconsin, Texas, Florida, Arizona, and Michigan. In these states, employees and prospective employees are not required to join a union or pay union dues in order to work at a company that has a collective bargaining agreement<\/a> in place. Proponents of these laws argue that it’s unfair to require union membership, that it should be voluntary, while opponents charge that right-to-work laws are intended to decrease union membership.<\/p>\n

National Labor Relations Board<\/h2>\n

The National Labor Relation Board’s website<\/a> offers detailed information about federal union laws and procedures. Regardless of whether a state has passed a right-to-work law, it is illegal for employers to threaten employees who express an interest in joining or forming a union or to promise certain benefits to those who refuse to join a union.<\/p>\n

Although Montana has no statutory provisions related to right-to-work laws, the following links and resources should help you get acquainted with labor and employment laws in Montana and in general.<\/p>\n\n
Code Section<\/td>\nNo statutory provision<\/td>\n<\/tr>
Policy on Union Membership, Organization, etc.<\/td>\n

N\/A<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>

Prohibited Activity<\/td>\nN\/A<\/td>\n<\/tr>
Penalties<\/td>\nN\/A<\/td>\n<\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n

Note: State laws are always subject to change, usually through legislation, ballot initiative, or court ruling — contact a Montana labor law attorney<\/a> or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.<\/i><\/p>\n

Research the Law:<\/h2>\n