Right to Work in New York
State-specific overview · Employment Law
New York is not a right-to-work state; unions can require membership or fees under negotiated agreements.
How New York treats Right to Work
New York does not have a right-to-work law. Unions and employers commonly negotiate union security clauses that require employees to join the union or pay agency fees for representation. Public sector employees are generally covered by similar union security provisions. This means workers in unionized settings may face a requirement to support the union financially.
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 New York.