An increasing number of states have passed so-called "right to work " legislation prohibiting the requirement that employees at unionized workplaces pay either monthly union dues or an equivalent monthly fee in order to cover the costs of representation. Supporters, who coined the term "right to work," claim that these laws are meant to prevent "forced" unionism, even though that is already prohibited under federal law. While no one may be forced to join a union, regardless of state law, these types of laws actually prohibit the enforcement of contracts that require monthly payments from non-union workers. These agreements are meant to ensure that unions are able to collect enough money to operate.
Most states with right to work laws use some variation of the following statutory language: "No person shall be denied employment on account of membership or non-membership in a labor union." This language again suggests that employees may be forced to join a union, which isn't actually the case.
Right to Work Law in Alaska: The Basics
So far, Alaska has not enacted a right to work law or any laws prohibiting security agreements at unionized workplaces. See FindLaw's Unions section for additional articles and resources.
| Code Section | No statutory provisions |
| Policy on Union Membership, Organization, etc. | - |
| Prohibited Activity | - |
| Penalties | - |
Note: State laws are always subject to change at any time through the enactment of newly signed legislation or other means, such as decisions handed down from higher courts. While we strive to ensure the accuracy of these pages, you also may want to contact an Alaska labor law attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
Right to Work Laws: A Divisive Issue
Efforts to pass these types of state laws have inspired impassioned support and opposition from business and labor groups. The name "right to work" is itself divisive, since it suggests that security agreements take away a person's right to have a job, critics say, arguing that these laws are only intended to defund and thus disempower labor unions. But supporters argue that these laws are necessary to prevent "bullying" by unions, who also use these monthly payments for political contributions.
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Alaska Right to Work Laws: Related Resources
