Mark Mix, president of the National Right to Work Committee, warned against Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger’s stance on Right-to-Work laws, stressing how Spanberger has consistently opposed Right-to-Work protections not only in the Commonwealth but across the country.
During an appearance this week on The John Fredericks Show, Mix criticized Spanberger for her repeated votes in Congress to eliminate Right-to-Work protections nationwide, including her sponsorship of the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, a bill that would repeal Right-to-Work laws nationwide.
Mix dismissed Spanberger’s vague comments about “reforming” Virginia’s Right-to-Work law as evasive, insisting that the issue is binary.
“[If Right to Work is repealed,] you either pay dues to keep your job or you don’t. It’s a binary choice. There’s no reform about it one way or the other,” Mix stressed.
Mix emphasized that Right to Work is fundamentally about individual freedom and choice, explaining that such laws ensure workers cannot be forced to join or financially support a labor union as a condition of employment.
“Right to Work has been a big part of the individual freedom that helps individuals make decisions. I don’t think anyone agrees that…workers should be forced to pay union dues or fees in order to keep a job. That’s the freedom that Right to Work has given to Virginians since 1947,” Mix said.
Economically, Mix argued that Right-to-Work laws are key to attracting businesses and promoting job creation in the Commonwealth, noting many companies avoid states where workers can be forced to pay union dues.
He cited data showing that states with Right-to-Work protections experience ten times the growth in manufacturing jobs and double the growth in private sector jobs compared to states without them.
“Right to Work has been a key part of manufacturing, job growth, and new investments in the Commonwealth,” Mix explained.
“When you think about job creation, Right-to-Work states have ten times the growth in manufacturing jobs, they have double growth in private sector job growth, and yet, not only do we have the economic benefits, but we also have liberty and freedom,” Mix added.
Mix noted every Virginia statewide official since 1947—except for Terry McAuliffe and now Abigail Spanberger—has defended the state’s Right-to-Work law, and urged Virginians to recognize what is at stake in the upcoming election, calling on them to vote to preserve their freedoms.
“Every statewide official except for Terry McAuliffe and now Abigail Spanberger has stood up and said they support Virginia’s Right-to-Work law,” he said.
“You have to get out and vote…you have a choice. If you choose to join a union and pay dues, have at it. But don’t force anyone to do that in the Commonwealth of Virginia,” Mix added.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Virginia Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
Photo “Abigail Spanberger” by Abigail Spanberger.
Editor’s Note: John Fredericks is the Publisher of The Virginia Star.
