Kentucky Becomes the Nation’s 27th Right-to-Work State

Kentucky has become the nation’s 27th right-to-work state after Gov. Matt Bevin (R) signed enabling legislation into law.

Bevin, who campaigned for governor in 2015 vowing to flip Kentucky to the right-to-work column, signed House Bill 1 on Jan. 7, shortly after it was approved in the Senate by a vote of 25-12. It passed the House on a 58-39 vote on Jan. 5.

No worker in the state can be required to join a union or pay dues or fair-share fees as a condition of employment under the new law. It also bars public employees from striking.

“This will ...