Right to Work in Washington
State-specific overview · Employment Law
Washington is not a right-to-work state; union security agreements and agency fees are generally permitted.
How Washington treats Right to Work
Washington allows employers and unions to negotiate union security agreements that require employees to join unions or pay equivalent fees. Public-sector employees in Washington can be required to pay agency fees to unions that represent them, even if they do not join. This places Washington among the minority of states that permit stronger union security provisions. Employees do retain certain rights to object to fees used for political purposes.
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 Washington.