The Michigan state house and senate passed right to work bills yesterday. Both chambers quickly adopted measures forbidding unions in the private sector from requiring workers who do not join the union to pay agency fees. (The state senate also passed a measure banning agency fees in the public sector.) If right to work becomes law and takes effect in Michigan, it will represent a sea change. The state was the home of industrial unions, especially autoworkers, in the United States in the 20th century. The election of large Republican majorities in the state legislature in 2010, the weakness of the private sector labor movement, even in one of it's historical strongholds, and the state's poor economic condition have opened the political space for right to work to make it onto the agenda.
It appears that state legislators were seeking to avoid a firestorm like Wisconsin, as they acted quickly and the precise contents of the measures was not made public until they were read in legislative chambers. Despite the speed, approximately 2,500 protesters stormed the capitol and provoked a tough response from police, which included using pepper-spray and arresting eight people. A final bill could make it to Governor Rick Snyder's desk as early as Tuesday.
The Governor has said that right-to-work is "not on my agenda." But has now indicated that he will sign the currently titled Workplace Equity and Fairness Act should it reach his desk. This legislation comes on the heels of organized labor's spending millions to embed collective bargaining rights in the state constitution by referendum in November.
Gov. Snyder finds himself in a similar situation to Mitch Daniels in Indiana. Both have sought to reform public sector labor relations but neither sought right to work legislation for private sector unions. Their hands have been forced by large GOP majorities in the state legislature. In Michigan, Republicans have big majorities in both chambers: 64-46 in the house and 26-12 in the senate.
The changes in Indiana may have also spurred Michigan to act, as the state compete for businesses. In fact, Snyder has said that reports that some 90 companies had decided to settle in Indiana since that state adopted right-to-work legislation influenced his decision to sign the measure.
The Governor has said that right-to-work is "not on my agenda." But has now indicated that he will sign the currently titled Workplace Equity and Fairness Act should it reach his desk. This legislation comes on the heels of organized labor's spending millions to embed collective bargaining rights in the state constitution by referendum in November.
Gov. Snyder finds himself in a similar situation to Mitch Daniels in Indiana. Both have sought to reform public sector labor relations but neither sought right to work legislation for private sector unions. Their hands have been forced by large GOP majorities in the state legislature. In Michigan, Republicans have big majorities in both chambers: 64-46 in the house and 26-12 in the senate.
The changes in Indiana may have also spurred Michigan to act, as the state compete for businesses. In fact, Snyder has said that reports that some 90 companies had decided to settle in Indiana since that state adopted right-to-work legislation influenced his decision to sign the measure.
Join the conversation