The Dallas Morning News has an interesting piece about the genesis of right to work.

Right to work legislation passed the legislature in New Hampshire only to be vetoed by Governor John Lynch (D). Eighteen states are considering legislation to join the ranks of the 22 existing right to work states.

Louisiana was the last southern state to pass a Right to Work law. It happened in 1976, shortly before I came to New Orleans for my first job as an attorney. Those were very different and very trying times as noted by Jim Beam, a reporter in Lake Charles who recounts the violence that led to its passage.