Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Declares Right-to-Work Laws 'Dead' as Shapiro Administration Seeks Second Term

Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Austin Davis told 95,000 Teamsters members that right-to-work legislation will remain blocked in the commonwealth as long as he and Gov. Josh Shapiro hold office, according to The Center Square. Davis made the declaration Monday at the Pennsylvania Conference of Teamsters' annual gathering in Hershey while seeking the union's endorsement for the Democratic ticket's 2026 re-election campaign.

The statement represents the clearest policy commitment from Pennsylvania's executive leadership on labor organizing rights ahead of November's gubernatorial election. Right-to-work laws, active in 26 states, prohibit collective bargaining agreements that require workers to pay union dues as a condition of employment. Such legislation has remained politically unfeasible in Pennsylvania despite periodic Republican legislative efforts.

Administration Cites Wage Theft Enforcement Record

Davis pointed to $15 million in unpaid wages recovered for Pennsylvania workers over the past three years as evidence of the administration's enforcement priorities. "Every worker deserves a safe workplace. Every worker deserves the benefits and pensions that they've negotiated for and that they earned," Davis said in his address. "As long as Josh Shapiro and I are in charge in Harrisburg, right-to-work is dead in this commonwealth and union organizing is alive."

The wage theft recovery figures represent enforcement actions against employers who failed to pay legally mandated compensation. Davis also highlighted expanded apprenticeship programs as part of the administration's labor agenda, though specific program data was not detailed in the speech.

The Pennsylvania Conference of Teamsters represents approximately 95,000 working members across the state and is affiliated with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, which represents 1.4 million workers nationally in occupations ranging from truck drivers to police officers.

Political Landscape Complicates Labor Endorsements

The conference endorsed the Shapiro-Davis ticket Monday, with conference president Bill Hamilton calling Davis "a great friend of the Teamsters." The same union backed the ticket in 2022 against Republican state Sen. Doug Mastriano. Hamilton said of Shapiro, "There's never been a question" about supporting labor when asked.

However, Pennsylvania labor endorsements have shown increasing partisan complexity. While the state Teamsters conference endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024, internal polling showed 60 percent of Pennsylvania members favored Donald Trump. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters declined to make a presidential endorsement that cycle after president Sean O'Brien addressed the Republican National Convention.

The 2024 state races further demonstrated split endorsements. The Pennsylvania Conference of Teamsters backed Republican State Treasurer Stacy Garrity over Democrat Erin McClelland, despite endorsing Democrats for other statewide offices. Garrity won by six points and set a record for most votes received by any Pennsylvania candidate, surpassing Shapiro's 2022 gubernatorial total. Garrity is considered the likely Republican gubernatorial nominee for 2026.

Davis used his Monday speech to criticize Trump administration policies, claiming "constant chaos and confusion" from the White House. He stated that gas prices above four dollars per gallon cost Pennsylvanians $238 million more in March compared to the previous period, attributing the increase to "reckless policies." Davis also accused the federal administration of "union busting" and weakening worker protections, though he did not cite specific federal actions.

Republican Speakers Also Address Conference

The Teamsters conference featured Republican speakers including U.S. Reps. Rob Bresnahan and Brian Fitzpatrick, plus state Rep. Martina White, signaling the union's continued engagement across party lines. Davis did not mention Garrity by name during his address, though his broader critique of Republican governance appeared directed at potential opponents.

Sam Gardner-Bird, PAC manager for the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, told attendees he expects Shapiro to win re-election "pretty easily," describing it as "a real race" but one favoring the incumbent. Public polling shows Shapiro leading Garrity by double digits in early 2026 surveys, and national ratings outlets classify the race as likely Democratic.

Gardner-Bird also discussed down-ballot legislative races, stating Democrats currently hold a "Teamster majority" in the state House. He said flipping four state Senate seats could create a Democratic trifecta controlling both legislative chambers and the governor's office, though he acknowledged those races would be "challenging."

The emphasis on maintaining organizing momentum in Pennsylvania comes as labor advocates nationwide push back against right-to-work expansion efforts in states where such laws remain under consideration.

What This Means for Union Members

Pennsylvania's firm opposition to right-to-work legislation protects union security clauses that allow collective bargaining agreements to require dues payment from all workers who benefit from negotiated contracts. For organizers, Davis's statement removes a major policy threat that would complicate new organizing drives by allowing free-rider dynamics where workers receive union representation without contributing financially.

The administration's $15 million wage theft recovery demonstrates enforcement capacity that extends beyond traditional union shops, affecting workers across industries who face unpaid wages regardless of representation status. Organizers can point to this enforcement record when building campaigns around economic security and workplace standards.

However, the split between state Teamsters leadership endorsements and member preferences revealed in 2024 polling signals continued political volatility within Pennsylvania labor. Union leaders seeking to maintain political influence must navigate member bases that increasingly split tickets, complicating straightforward partisan endorsement strategies that once defined labor's electoral playbook.