Forced Unionization Catalogued in New Graphic Resource

For Immediate Release

February 10, 2016

Washington, D.C. - The Center for Worker Freedom has introduced its new graphic resource, the 2016 Indicator of Labor Liberty.

The Indicator is a map of the United States, which illustrates every state's specific right-to-work status in both the public and private sectors.  It references state constitutions and particular statutes to provide the most current and comprehensive worker freedom classification.  Worker freedom is measured by the degree to which workers in the public and private sectors are required to support labor organizations.           

At WorkerFreedom.org, CWF research fellow, Paige Halper, explained that the Indicator also highlights exceptions and hybrids of state labor laws.  For example:

"Under the Colorado Labor Peace Act, private workers may be forced to pay the fees if the union wins two majority elections and the employer agrees to a union contract... If you work in a police or fire department in Wisconsin, you fund a union that you're not even a member of." 

The Indicator could see some serious change in the upcoming months as Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association is before the U.S. Supreme Court.  The plaintiffs inFriedrichs, schoolteachers from California, are challenging the constitutionality of mandatory union fees.  If the Court rules in their favor, public sector workers in 21 states will finally be free from coerced unionism.

The 2016 Indicator of Labor Liberty can be accessed here.  To access a printable download of how the map would change if the Supreme Court finds in favor of Friedrichs, click here. 

The Center for Worker Freedom is a non-profit, educational organization dedicated to warning the public about the causes and consequences of unionization.  CWF is a special project of Americans for Tax Reform.  For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact Paige Halper at 202-785-0266 or by email at phalper@atr.org.

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