One of the issues before the next General Assembly may be whether to retain or repeal Virginia’s so-called “right-to-work” law, which forbids compulsory payment of union dues by non-union members if there’s a union in the workplace. For an opposing point of view, see “Virginia’s right-to-work law: A foundation for economic freedom and growth,” by Mark Mix of the Virginia-based National Right to Work Committee.
To see where candidates for governor, lieutenant governor and House of Delegates stand on “right-to-work,” see our Voter Guide.
I have lived in Southwest Virginia my whole life. I worked for over 40 years in different jobs — over 30 of them as a proud union member. I am not some activist. I am not on Twitter. I do not follow what’s trending. But I know what is right, and I know what is fair. I will tell you this plain and simple: Virginia’s so-called “right-to-work” law is wrong, and it’s long past time we repealed it.
When I first joined the union in the 1990s, I did not know much about labor law. I just knew the folks in the union had each other’s backs. We had safer working conditions, decent pay and good benefits, including health insurance, which I had not been able to get until I began the union job. I could afford it for myself and later for my wife and son. We were not rich, but we were proud. We earned what we had.
But over the years, I watched that sense of security slip away. New workers stopped joining the union because they did not have to pay dues under “right-to-work.” They still got the raises we fought for. They still got the protections we negotiated. But they did not contribute, and it weakened us. That is what this law was designed to do — divide us and drain us.
Let’s be real: “right-to-work” isn’t about freedom or choice. It’s a corporate scam dressed up in red, white and blue. It was cooked up decades ago to stop working folks — Black and white — from uniting for better wages and fair treatment. And it’s worked exactly how the politicians and business lobbies wanted it to. It’s driven down wages, busted unions and kept Virginia at the bottom when it comes to worker protections.
I hear people say, “Well, you can’t force someone to join a union.” But no one is doing that. Repealing so-called “right-to-work” just means that if you benefit from the union, you pay your fair share, along with the rest of the members. If we are all in this together, then we all pitch in. That is what solidarity means.
I’m not writing this because I want attention. I’m writing it because I want my grandkids to have the same shot I had at a good, stable life. If we let this law keep bleeding us dry, there will not be much left for the next generation. They will keep working harder for less, with no voice and no protections.
We have got some politicians in Virginia who say they are for workers — but they still defend the so-called “right-to-work” law. I do not care what party you are in. If you are not willing to stand up and repeal this anti-worker law, then do not come asking for our support come election time.
Virginia is changing. Working people are fed up. And we are ready to fight for what is ours. It is time we repeal so-called “right-to-work” and start building back real power for working families in this commonwealth.
What is the AFL-CIO?
Great question! Your union is part of a broader organization of labor unions in Virginia! I’m a member of another union volunteering in your area. You can learn more at the AFL-CIO website: Virginia AFL-CIO, building back real power for working families in this commonwealth.
Chuck Simpson is President of the Western VA Labor Federation, which serves as the political and legislative arm of the VA AFL-CIO, working with all affiliated unions from Lee County to Danville and north to Winchester and east to Charlottesville and Lynchburg.