Union contracts frequently require employees to pay union dues
or lose their jobs. This forces workers to support the union
financially even if the union contract harms them or they oppose
the union’s agenda. Several states, including New Hampshire and
Indiana, are considering right-to-work laws, which protect
workers from being fired for not paying union dues. Unions
oppose these laws because they reduce union membership and
income. However, the rest of the economy benefits from right-to-
work laws. Right-to-work laws reduce the financial benefit from
organizing workplaces where unions have limited support. This
makes unions less aggressive and encourages business investment,
creating jobs. States can and should reduce unemployment by
becoming right-to-work states. Unions often negotiate contracts
requiring all workers to pay union dues or lose their jobs.
Workers must pay 1 percent to 2 percent of their wages in dues,
whether or not they support the union. But many workers reject
unions. Some do so because u