<P> In the context of US labor politics, "right - to - work laws" refers to laws (currently effective in 27 states) that prohibit union security agreements between companies and labor unions . Under these laws, employees in unionized workplaces are banned from negotiating contracts which require all members who benefit from the union contract to contribute to the costs of union representation . </P> <P> According to the Legal Defense Foundation, right - to - work laws prohibit union security agreements, or agreements between employers and labor unions, that govern the extent to which an established union can require employees' membership, payment of union dues, or fees as a condition of employment, either before or after hiring . Right - to - work laws do not aim to provide general guarantee of employment to people seeking work, but rather are a government ban on contractual agreements between employers and union employees requiring workers to pay for the costs of union representation . </P>

How many states have right to work laws