THE EFFECTS OF “RIGHT-TO-WORK” REGULATIONS ON WORKER EARNINGS, UNION MEMBERSHIP, AND LABOR FORCE PARTICIPATION ACROSS THE UNITED STATES

So-called “right-to-work” laws are government regulations that prohibit employers and unions from voluntarily ensuring that each member who accrues a return from collective bargaining also contributes a fair share. They allow workers to forgo union membership but require unions to continue providing services and benefits to those who do not pay. This reduces the resources … Read more

PROMOTING GOOD JOBS AND A STRONGER ECONOMY

The labor movement has historically provided U.S. workers with reliable pathways into good, middle-class jobs. Union membership, however, has gradually declined across America. A primary driver of this decline has been the spread of so-called “right-to-work” laws, which allow workersto receive all the services and benefits of collective bargaining– such as higher wages, better health … Read more

THE IMPACT OF “RIGHT TO WORK” LAWS ON LABOR MARKET OUTCOMES IN THREE MIDWEST STATES: EVIDENCE FROM INDIANA, MICHIGAN, AND WISCONSIN (2010-2016)

The movement to implement “right-to-work” (RTW) legislation has accelerated over recent years. Since 2012, RTW laws have been passed in Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Missouri. This report investigates the impact of RTW laws passed in three Midwest states for which there is available data – Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin – compared to … Read more

Which Labor Market Institutions Reduce Income Inequality

This joint Research Report by the Illinois Economic Policy Institute and the University of Illinois Labor Education Program analyzes the effects that labor market institutions have on income inequality in the construction industry.

The Economic Effects of Adopting A Right-To-Work Law: Implications for Illinois

The 9 million-job shortfall induced by the late-2007 economic recession has caused states to rethink policies on employment and income growth. One proposed policy change in many struggling states is the implementation of right-to-work (RTW) laws, which limit the ability of labor unions to collect dues from the workers they represent and influence the conditions … Read more