Index
Employment & LaborGeorgia, USA

Georgia Right to Work Law

Summary

Georgia has been a 'Right to Work' state since 1947. This law guarantees that no person can be forced to join a labor union or pay union dues to get or keep a job.

Rights & Rules

  • 01.
    Your employer and a labor union CANNOT sign a contract that requires you to join the union.
  • 02.
    You cannot be forced to pay union dues, agency fees, or any other assessment to a labor organization.
  • 03.
    If you choose not to join the union, the union must still legally represent you if they are the exclusive bargaining agent for your workplace (meaning you get the contract benefits without paying the dues).
  • 04.
    You cannot be denied employment just because you belong to a union, nor can you be denied employment because you refuse to join one.

Penalties

  • 01.
    Any contract or agreement between an employer and a union that forces employees to join or pay dues is legally void and unenforceable in Georgia. Employers violating this can face misdemeanor charges.

Verified Citations

Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.) 34-6-21

Source
"Any contract... which requires as a condition of employment... that any individual, as a condition of employment... shall be or remain a member or an affiliate of a labor organization... is declared to be contrary to the public policy of this state..."