National Right to Work? Plus, SCOTUS to take up Obama recess appointments

In just over half the States in America, if a majority of your co-workers elect to have a union represent them at work, then you must become a member of the union too — whether you like it or not. Nonmembers who object to that requirement must still may union dues. However, in nearly half of the USA (24 states, to be precise) employees in a unionized workplace may decide for themselves whether to join the union. This is known as “right-to-work.” Employees who exercise this right are not required to pay union dues.

Late last year, Michigan became the newest Right-to-Work State. And, last week, Senator Rand Paul (KY-R) reintroduced the “National Right-to-Work Act,” described as a bill to preserve and protect the free choice of individual employees to form, join, or assist labor organizations, or to refrain from such activities. This bill would amend both the National Labor Relations Act and the Railway Labor Act to make “right-to-work” the law in all 50 states.

You can view a copy of the bill here.

Meanwhile, word hit yesterday that the Supreme Court has already been asked to weigh in on the constitutionality of President Obama’s recess appointments to the National Labor Relations Board. Last month, a federal appellate court ruled that the appointments were unconstitutional. Lauren Smith at Roll Call has more on this developing story here.