An earlier version of this article calculated Wisconsin and Michigan as right-to-work (RTW) states. While both are RTW states, firefighters are exempt from this legislation. For the purposes of this article, we’ve grouped Wisconsin and Michigan with the non-RTW states for a clearer representation.
By Megan Wells, FireRescue1 Contributor
There is great debate over whether right-to-work (RTW) states or non-right-to-work (non-RTW) states provide the best support for firefighters. Proponents of RTW laws argue that workers should have the choice whether to join (and pay) to be a union member, which includes the right to collective bargaining. Union proponents claim that RTW laws give non-union members the benefit of union representation and union-secured benefits without sharing in the cost of negotiating those benefits.
As of April 2016, there are 26 right-to-work states, with West Virginia being the most recent state to switch from a non-RTW to an RTW state. FireRescue1.com has taken a look at some of the most important factors of employment and job satisfaction, such as wages, job security and cost of living, to analyze the difference of benefits between RTW and non-RTW states, for firefighters.
Please note: While Wisconsin and Michigan are technically RTW states, the RTW laws do not pertain to firefighters. For that reason we have calculated Wisconsin and Michigan’s state data as non-RTW states.
This image with attribution FireRescue1.com can be shared and reprinted without alteration. For any other uses contact the editor. Click to see a larger image.
While non-RTW states tend to have higher wages for firefighters, RTW states tend to be located in areas where the cost of living is lower, so making an apples-to-apples comparison is difficult. At first glance it looks like non-RTW states provide more benefits for firefighters, but the fact more than half the states have adopted RTW laws for public employees speaks loudly (not to mention public opinion approves RTW states by over 70 percent). What do you think?
Methodology:
- FireRescue1 used salary data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to find average wages for firefighters regionally and by state. There are currently no RTW states in the Middle Atlantic or New England.
- FireRescue1 used the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center to identify the cost of living.
- FireRescue1 used the Economic Policy Institute to find health care coverage and employer-sponsored pension data.
- Firerescue1 used Gallup polls to determine public approval of unions and RTW or non-RTW states.
- Note: Wisconsin and Michigan are RTW states that exclude firefighters from the RTW legislation. For that reason, we’ve included them as non-RTW states.
