Chamber Insider Blog

By Tony Howard, President & CEO, Loudoun Chamber of Commerce

For more than 70 years, Virginia’s Right-to-Work law has stood as one of the fundamental pillars of our Commonwealth’s economic success.

This simple but powerful policy protects the freedom of every employee to decide for themselves whether to join a union—without being forced to pay dues as a condition of employment.

That freedom has been a cornerstone of Virginia’s reputation as one of the best states for business. It has attracted new employers, fostered innovation, and created opportunities for workers across the Commonwealth. In Loudoun County, businesses of all sizes have thrived under a system that values both economic opportunity and individual choice.

Yet, there are renewed efforts to repeal or weaken Virginia’s Right-to-Work law. Doing so would not only strip workers of their freedom to choose, but it would also undermine Virginia’s economic competitiveness.

Freedom and Opportunity Go Hand-in-Hand

Right-to-Work ensures that employees get to decide whether union membership is right for them. For some workers, joining a union may be the best choice. But that decision must belong to the individual, based on what’s best for their career, their family, and their future.

A Proven Foundation of Economic Success

Our Right-to-Work law has helped make Virginia a top destination for new investment and job creation. Companies considering where to locate new facilities often cite this policy as a major factor in their decision to choose Virginia. Repealing it would make our state less attractive to employers and put us at a competitive disadvantage.

Protecting Small Businesses and Consumers

Perhaps most importantly, repealing Right-to-Work would hurt Virginia’s small businesses—the backbone of our economy. Small businesses are already grappling with rising costs, workforce shortages, and economic uncertainty. Removing Right-to-Work protections would make it harder for them to stay competitive, expand, or even survive.

And it wouldn’t just affect employers. When business costs go up, so do prices. The result would be higher costs for everyday Virginians, at a time when many families are already struggling to make ends meet.

Right-to-Work Is Not Anti-Union—It’s Pro-Choice

Unions have long played a valuable role in improving working conditions and providing benefits for their members. Right-to-Work does not prevent unions from organizing or representing employees. In fact, unions have grown and thrived in Virginia under this law. What it ensures is that workers join because they want to, not because they’re required to.

Virginia has long been a model of balanced economic policy—one that respects both the rights of workers and the needs of employers. Let’s keep it that way.

You can learn more by visiting KeepVirginiaWorking.com.