The State of Missouri has now become our 28th right-to-work state, following closely after Kentucky, which took the leap about a month ago.

The Missouri bill was signed into law yesterday by Republican Gov. Eric Greitens, and is scheduled to take effect in August. However, the Missouri AFL-CIO has requested a voter referendum on the measure. If the union gets enough signatures, the matter would be on the ballot for 2018.

Right-to-work laws generally provide that an employee cannot be required to join a union or pay union dues as a condition of employment. The Missouri bill also prohibits employers from requiring that employees contribute to a charity or other third-party organization in lieu of paying union dues.

A national right-to-work law has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. Right-to-work legislation is also being considered in New Hampshire.