Summary
Highlights
Robert Reich argues that 'Right-to-Work' laws, deceptively named, are bad for workers. He cites statistics showing that workers in 'Right-to-Work' states earn 12.2% less annually, have less health insurance, pay more out-of-pocket, and live in states with higher poverty, infant mortality, less education investment, and increased workplace fatalities.
The core reason 'Right-to-Work' laws harm workers is by destroying unions. When a majority of workers vote for a union, they gain bargaining power for better wages and conditions. However, 'Right-to-Work' laws prevent unions from collecting dues from all beneficiaries of their bargaining, draining their resources and weakening their ability to negotiate effectively.
Organizations like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) advocate for 'Right-to-Work' laws, claiming to care about workers. Reich exposes this as a facade, stating that these groups represent corporations that want to suppress workers' bargaining power to keep wages low and increase profits for shareholders and executives.
While proponents claim 'Right-to-Work' states attract more businesses, Reich clarifies that they attract businesses seeking lower wages, those that don't invest in their workforce, and are prone to moving operations abroad for even cheaper labor. This contributes to stagnant American wages despite soaring corporate profits and executive pay.
Reich asserts that 'Right-to-Work' laws exacerbate economic inequality, where most gains go to the top 1%. He emphasizes that average Americans need increased bargaining power, as they had 50 years ago when a third of private-sector workers were unionized, compared to fewer than 7% today. He urges people not to be deceived by corporate interests and to fight against these laws.