Right to Work States?

[mm2006]

I was browsing another forum and this topic was raised. I was looking into employment with a few departments. Is this an important question to find out before submitting an application or testing? Are Virginia, Maryland or North Carolina right to work states?

Even if probation goes well and your department is in the IAFF are you on your own if your employer decides they don't like you. What about seniority? Could a department fire a senior man with many years on the job for no reason?

[Firefighter2230]

I know that NC is a right to work state.
As far as just letting someone go because they don't like you or firing a senior person in the company for no reason I would say that it is not very likely but anything can happen.

[CALFFBOU]

Its my understanding that "RTW" states do not need to reconize the IAFF or any other union.

My friend works in Utah and the fire management pretty much does whatever they want with no accountability and do not need to answer to anyone. You are by yourself and an Attorney if you get one. Its easier to fire you if they need be.

I am sure there is more to it.

[EFD840]

You're confusing terms. In a "right to work" state, you cannot be forced to join a union in order to secure employment. Employees can still organize and negotiate collective bargaining agreements. Union shops, where all hires are required to obtain union membership after employment, are not allowed. Obviously, this can potentially reduce the effectiveness of collective bargaining but employees in right to work states still have the right to organize. The rules for union shops and right to work states were established by the Taft-Hartley act.

What you're thinking about is "at will" employment, which is an employment law doctrine that says absent any contractual agreement either party is free to terminate the relationship for any reason whatsoever without liability. There are no compete "at will" situations in the US today. Federal civil rights law, ADA, and other anti-discrimination laws place at least some limitation on an employer's right to terminate someone without cause. Further, a contractual agreement need not be a labor contract. Many cities and states have personnel policies and merit systems that govern employer/employee relationships and remove the "at will" aspect.

Rather than worring about a state's status, I would look to the individual departments and their rules or local laws regarding employee rights.

[4southside3]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_To_Work

[mm2006]

i appreciate the help. thank you