ECON 290 Milestone 1 - WV SB 1

Milestone 1: Right to Work

Ryley Garrido

ECON 290

Regent University

9/4/2022

Introduction to the Topic: In 2016 West Virginia passed, and put into effect via overriding a veto, the West Virginia Workplace Freedom Act which prevents workers in West Virginia from being required to pay dues and fees to unions regardless of whether they are part of the union. This project will investigate the parties both for and against the bill, the supposed effects of the bill and what led to its ultimate passage.

Goals for this Milestone:

1. Pick a policy (candidate etc.).

a. West Virginia SB 1 | 2016 regular session – West Virginia Workplace Freedom Act

2. Explain it and the problem it is supposed to solve and the problems it creates.

a. This bill, which ultimately passed, prohibits workers to have to be required to pay dues to unions, even if they are not part of them. A problem it creates is that unions will still be required to serve employees, even if they do not pay dues.

3. Broadly outline (Roman numeral and subletter only) where you think your project will go.

I. Summary of what the bill says it does and its history from introduction to passage.

II. Who supported and opposed the bill, and why.

i. Unions

ii. Businesses

iii. Other citizens

III. What was the effect of the bill, both planned and unexpected.

IV. Where the bill stands now.

i. WV Supreme Court ruled it was constitutional in 2020

V. Conclusion and recommendations

4. Choose a format (see below for details)*

a. A video

5. Present at least two sources you expect to use

a. (Chava et al., 2020)

b. (Marciukaityte, 2015)

c. (Eren & Ozbeklik, 2016)

Concept Questions:

1. What are the relevant rules guiding the policy?

a. Any member can introduce the bill, it is then referred to committee, presented to the chamber if passed from committee, read three times, voted on, sent to the other chamber, where they then send it to committee, present it to the chamber if it passed committee, they then read three times, vote on it, and if approved, send it to the governor.

2. Are those rules effectively enforced?

a. Yes

3. Is there a romance – reality disconnect in the policy? In other words, do people seem to expect a much more “public spirited” outcome than is realistic?

a. While some right to work supporters may think this bill makes unions go away, the overall impression is that this bill will accomplish reasonable goals.

4. What is the collective action the policy is suppose to accomplish? Or is there one? Is the policy designed to favor some over others? Be sure to distinguish between actual results and rhetoric.

a. Some would argue that this law favors non-union workers over those in unions while others would contend that this law allows non-union members to not be disadvantaged.

5. Is there a special interests involved? Who? Are they successful?

a. Unions and union leaders had special interests to make sure this law did not pass.

References

Chava, S., Danis, A., & Hsu, A. (2020). The economic impact of right-to-work laws: Evidence from collective bargaining agreements and corporate policies. Journal of Financial Economics, 137(2), 451-469. 10.1016/j.jfineco.2020.02.005

Eren, O., & Ozbeklik, S. (2016). What Do Right-to-Work Laws Do? Evidence from a Synthetic Control Method Analysis.Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, 35(1), 173-194. 10.1002/pam.21861

Marciukaityte, D. (2015). Right-to-Work Laws and Financial Leverage. Financial Management, 44(1), 147-175. 10.1111/fima.12065