Nevada's Right to Prosper

Nevada’s Right to Prosper

Free Market

Eric Bihr

| October 9, 2024

What is Right to Work? This was the question I had when I first learned about the concept here at Nevada Policy. I speculated dozens of definitions but finally arrived at the truth.

At its core, Right to Work laws ensure that employees have the freedom to choose whether to join a union. In Nevada, laws have been in place since 1953 and allow workers the option of joining union or removing the obligation of pay union dues as a condition of employment. This freedom is about more unions though, it is about empowering individuals to make choices that align with their own values and needs.

The Benefits of Right to Work

Imagine having to join an organization that you fundamentally disagree with just to keep your job. In Nevada, employees can decide if union membership is right for them without that fear of repercussions. This is done to protect free speech and individual autonomy. The U.S. Supreme Court addressed this issue in the landmark case Janus v. AFSCME (2018), ruling that forcing public-sector employees to pay union fees violates their First Amendment rights.

Nevada’s Right to Work laws ensure that workers are not compelled to financially support organizations or causes they do not agree with. This protection extends beyond financial freedom—it safeguards the individual’s right to choose how they engage in their workplace.

But job security is not the only benefit of right to work laws.

Right to Work also plays a significant role in Nevada’s economic growth. By creating an environment where businesses can operate more flexibly, the state has become an attractive destination for companies looking to expand.

This influx of businesses directly translates to more job opportunities for Nevadans, all while driving economic development and lowering unemployment rates. States experience faster economic growth compared to non-Right to Work states on average.

These laws have played a key part in driving Nevada’s prosperity.

To dive deeper into the economic and legal impacts of Right to Work laws, check out Nevada Policy’s paper, Right to Prosper.

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Eric Bihr

Eric Bihr serves as the Director of Communications and Marketing for Nevada Policy to mobilize the expert research and communications to all Nevadans across multiple social channels. For over a decade, Eric has led and developed strategies for non-profits, small businesses, and large for-profit brands with their social media strategies to reach audiences and scale reach. Born in California, Eric moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2008 where he currently resides. While building his career in Marketing and Leadership, Eric has raised millions of dollars for non-profits, led national marketing campaign teams for brands, and developed leadership strategies for teams of over 500 staff and volunteers. When he’s not working or on social media, Eric enjoys staying active and making memories with his three children, Avery, Audrey, and James.