Right to Work in Pennsylvania
State-specific overview · Employment Law
Pennsylvania is not a right-to-work state; unions can require non-members to pay representation fees.
How Pennsylvania treats Right to Work
Pennsylvania permits union security agreements that require employees to pay fair-share fees for union representation and services, even without union membership. The state has long supported collective bargaining and does not restrict these agreements in the private sector. Public employees have some additional protections under state law, but private workers generally must comply with negotiated union fee requirements.
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 Pennsylvania.