Right to Work in West Virginia
State-specific overview · Employment Law
West Virginia is a right-to-work state where employees cannot be compelled to join unions or pay union fees.
How West Virginia treats Right to Work
West Virginia's right-to-work law, codified in state statute, prohibits employers and unions from requiring union membership or the payment of union dues as a condition of employment. The state has maintained this protection for decades as a core labor policy. No major exceptions exist for specific industries or public employees. The rule operates identically to the general right-to-work principle.
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 West Virginia.