Louisiana News & Legislation

Right to Work State

Louisiana is a Right to Work State. Employees who work in Louisiana, except on federal property or for a railway or airline, have a right to resign from union membership and not pay union dues or fees. If you are an employee in Louisiana and have legal questions regarding your union membership, click here to learn about your rights.

Louisiana Right to Work News

» Call Him 'Brad "Nowhere to Flee" Sherman'

August 6, 2008 - Launch of Right to Work Repeal Tips Big Labor's Hand For 2009 (PDF viewer required to view this document)

» Families Flee Compulsory-Unionism States

May 26, 2008 - 'Right to Work States Are Simply Better For Raising Children' (PDF viewer required to view this document)

» Committee PAC Aids Pro-Right to Work Candidates

April 7, 2008 - Union Bosses Have Already Begun Their Federal Electoral Assault (PDF viewer required to view this document)

» Louisiana Elects Pro-Right to Work Governor

December 26, 2007 - Jindal Team Likely to Push For More Union-Free 'Charter' Schools (PDF viewer required to view this document)

» Teacher Union Dons Sing 'Charter School Blues'

October 4, 2007 - End of NEA/AFT Monopoly Fosters Education Reform in New Orleans (PDF viewer required to view this document)

Louisiana Congressional Representatives

Contact your Louisiana Congressmen to voice your support for Right to Work! We need help from grassroots supporters like you to protect workers' rights and to stop Big Labor's rampant abuses. If you don't know your Louisiana Congressional District, enter your ZIP Code and your ZIP+4 extension below to look it up:

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Louisiana Legislative Alerts

Click here to access legislative alerts for Louisiana.

Louisiana Right to Work Law

La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 23:981 through 987

§ 981. Declaration of public policy

It is hereby declared to be the public policy of Louisiana that all persons shall have, and shall be protected in the exercise of the right, freely and without fear of penalty or reprisal, to form, join and assist labor organizations or to refrain from any such activities. (Enacted July 9, 1976; effective October 6, 1976.)

§ 982. Labor organization

The term "labor organization" means any organization of any kind, or agency or employee representation committee, which exists for the purpose, in whole or in part, of dealing with employers concerning wages, rates of pay, hours of work or other conditions of employment. (Enacted July 9, 1976; effective October 6, 1976.)

§ 983. Freedom of choice

No person shall be required, as a condition of employment, to become or remain a member of any labor organization, or to pay any dues, fees, assessments, or other charges of any kind to a labor organization. (Enacted July 9, 1976; effective October 6, 1976.)

§ 984. Certain agreements declared illegal

Any agreement, understanding or practice, written or oral, implied or expressed, between any employer and any labor organization in violation of the provisions of this Part is hereby declared to be unlawful, null and void, and of no legal effect. (Enacted July 9, 1976, effective October 6 1976.)

§ 985. Penalties

Any person who directly or indirectly places upon any other person any requirement or compulsion prohibited by this Part shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction thereof shall be subject to a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars and/or imprisonment for a period of not more than ninety days. (Enacted July 9, 1976; effective October 6, 1976.)

§ 986. Injunctive relief

Any employee injured as a result of any violation or threatened violation of the provisions of this Part shall be entitled to injunctive relief against any and all violators or persons threatening violation, and may also recover any and all damages of any character resulting from such violation or threatened violation. Such remedies shall be independent of and in addition to the penalties and remedies prescribed in other provisions of this Part. (Enacted July 9, 1976; effective October 6, 1976.)

§ 987. Duty to investigate

It shall be the duty of the attorney general of this state, and of the district attorney of each city and parish, to investigate any complaints of violation of this Part and to prosecute all persons violating any of the provisions of this Part, and to take all means at their command to insure effective enforcement of the provisions of this Part. (Enacted July 9, 1976; effective October 6, 1976.)

NOTE: State laws are in a constant state of flux. Before relying on the text of any state Right to Work statute, you should check the most recent edition of your state laws.