Right-to-Work Is Wrong for Michigan

Right-to-Work Is Wrong for Michigan

Stand up for Michigan workers.

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Legislation limiting the power of unions is headed to Michigan Governor Rick Snyder’s desk, where the Republican is expected to sign the so-called “right to work” bill into law after it was approved by a vote of 58-52 in the Michigan House. But union organizers say they can still undo the contentious legislation, which bars the mandatory collection of labor dues. The idea, according to the Citizens Research Council of Michigan, is that opponents of the law could file petitions with signatures of registered voters equal to 8 percent of the total votes cast in the last gubernatorial election. The legislature would then either enact or reject the petition — presumably the latter. After that, it would go on the ballot for the next general election in 2014.

 TO DO

The WeAreMichigan coalition is taking the lead in opposing the controversial bill. Sign the petition standing up for Michigan workers and consider a donation to help support both legal and grassroots challenges to the legislation. It also can’t hurt to call Governor Snyder at 517-373-3400 and implore him to veto the legislation.

 TO READ

In ‘Right to work’: The wrong answer for Michigan’s economy, a recent paper produced by the Economic Policy Institute, political economist Gordon Lafer explains that right-to-work laws do not boost job growth in states that adopt them but rather lower wages and reduce benefits for both union and non-union workers alike.

 TO WATCH

In scenes reminiscent of last year’s massive protests against Scott Walker’s anti-union legislation at the Wisconsin State Capitol in Madison, thousands of citizen protesters gathered in the Michigan state capitol immediately after the controversial legislation was passed.

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