Collective Bargaining and Labor Representation for Higher Education in a “Right to Work” Environment

Abstract

“Right to work” states are generally considered to be hostile environments for public employees to secure labor representation and maintain rights to fair treatment and just compensation through collective bargaining over an extended period of time. However, in one “right to work” state, Florida, we find examples of unions that have managed to survive and develop over decades. Some of them even managed to negotiate comprehensive contracts protecting the rights of public employees in all domains affecting “terms and conditions of employment,” including “shared governance” in decision-making about the work environment.