Kentucky became the 27th state to ratify a "right-to-work" bill on Saturday. Workers in the state are now granted the right to work in a union-represented workplace without paying dues. The non-represented workers will still be entitled to benefits that are negotiated by the unions in their workplace. Many labor rights groups oppose right-to-work laws because they undermine organized labor and depress union revenues. Kentucky is now controlled by both a Republican governor and state legislator. November marked the first time Republicans won the majority in Kentucky's state assembly since 1921, and the change of power was crucial to passing the right-to-work bill.
See "Kentucky lawmakers pass 'right-to-work' legislation", Steve Bittenbender, Reuters, January 10, 2017