Right to Work in Oregon
State-specific overview · Employment Law
Oregon is not a right-to-work state; unions can require fees from non-members in unionized workplaces.
How Oregon treats Right to Work
Oregon allows unions to negotiate agency shop or union shop agreements, meaning employees can be required to pay union fees even if they don't join. Public employees have stronger protections and cannot be forced to join unions, but private-sector workers have fewer restrictions. Oregon's approach favors collective bargaining agreements over individual worker choice in unionized settings.
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 Oregon.