Right - to - work laws make it illegal to require that employees join a union . In Michigan , Republican - backed legislation would allow employees to opt out of union membership . Critics say it would hurt jobs ; supporters say it would aid state economic competitiveness . 23 states , most of them in the South and West , have right - to - work laws .
Right-to-work laws make it illegal to require that employees join a union . In Michigan , Republican-backed legislation would allow workers to opt out of union membership . Critics say it would hurt unions ; supporters say it would aid state economic competitiveness . 23 states , most of them in the South and West , have right-to-work laws .