This week the North Carolina General Assembly gaveled in for the 2026 short session, marking more than a decade of progress in making our state one of the most pro-growth, business-friendly climates in the nation. Our reputation as THE place to launch your business, headquarter a corporation, or find opportunity to put down roots and support your family.
We’ve been carving out that coveted spot in the economy by driving down taxes and welcoming high-paying jobs. But our right-to-work law, which protects workers from being forced to join a union as a condition of employment, is key. Under right-to-work, employees may join a union, but they cannot be required to.
But there is a problem: Those protections are only as strong as the next legislative majority.
North Carolina is one of 27 states with right-to-work laws, primarily in the South and Midwest. In other states, companies and labor unions can enter into contracts requiring employees to join the union or at least pay union dues. The National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation estimates that such arrangements, known as a “closed shop” and allowed under federal law, siphon off $4.5 billion in employee pay each year.
If policymakers are serious about preserving worker freedom and maintaining North Carolina’s competitive edge, they should place right-to-work protections directly into the state Constitution.
Right-to-work enjoys consistent majority support across public polling. Carolina Journal surveys have consistently...
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