What Does Arizona’s “Right to Work” Law Mean?

From the time I first moved to Arizona, people would say that our state is a "right-to-work state". The implication was that I could leave a job for any reason without giving my employer notice or that I could be fired for any reason without my employer giving me a reason.

People would just say, "Yeah, well, Arizona's a right-to-work state," as though that were the end of it. But what does that mean?

Arizona's Right to Work Law

It's true. Arizona is a right-to-work state. According to NFIB.com, the law was first established in 1946.

According to Article 25 of the Arizona Constitution, there's a benefit for workers, which says, "no person can be compelled to join or pay dues to a union as a condition of employment."

Workers have the freedom to choose whether to join a union and to do so without fear of losing their jobs.

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The law is also good for employers. It allows businesses greater flexibility when hiring staff and managing their workforce. Employers don't have to adhere to an agreement with a union, which can dictate the terms of employment. This lets employers keep labor costs under control without the disruption from striking workers.

It can get tricky when employers have a workforce that's made up of both union and non-union workers, however.

READ: Arizona Ranked 49th In Nation For Mental Health "Devastating" 

Criticism of Right to Work in Arizona

Not everyone thinks this is the best system for workers. Some criticize it, saying it causes poor working conditions and lower wages for workers. Supporters say it attracts more businesses to our state and gives both workers and employers more freedom.

In a Phoenix New Times article about a nonprofit group in our state called Arizona Works Together, they explain the group pushed to get a ballot measure on the 2024 ballot to repeal Arizona’s right-to-work law.

Time will tell whether Arizona's right-to-work law will stand or if voters will eventually repeal the law.