Right to Work in Missouri
State-specific overview · Employment Law
Missouri adopted right-to-work in 2017; employees cannot be forced to join unions or pay fees.
How Missouri treats Right to Work
Missouri voters approved right-to-work through ballot measure in 2018, effective August 28, 2018, prohibiting mandatory union membership or fee payment as employment conditions. The law applies to both private and public employees. Missouri shifted from allowing union-security agreements to protecting employee choice regarding union participation and financial support.
The general definition of Right to Work
A legal principle that employees cannot be forced to join a union or pay union fees as a job condition.
Right to work is a state law that protects workers from being required to join a labor union or pay union dues in order to keep their job. In right-to-work states, union membership is voluntary. This contrasts with union-security agreements in other states, where workers may be required to join or contribute to a union as a condition of employment.
Read the full Right to Work entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in Missouri.