Right to Work in Wisconsin
State-specific overview · Employment Law
Wisconsin is a right-to-work state; employees cannot be forced to join unions or pay union dues.
How Wisconsin treats Right to Work
Wisconsin enacted right-to-work legislation in 2015, prohibiting union security agreements that require membership or fee payment. Public-sector employees also cannot be required to pay union dues under Wisconsin law. The state previously allowed public-sector union security agreements, but that protection was eliminated. Wisconsin's rule now fully aligns with the general right-to-work principle across both private and public sectors.
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 Wisconsin.