Michigan legislature passes contested “right-to-work” plan

Michigan has become the 24th state in the nation to pass the so called “right-to-work” laws. The plan removes requirements for nonunion employees to pay unions for negotiating contracts and other services and banning mandatory union membership for both public and private institutions. More than 12,000 unionized workers and supporters protested in Lansing outside the capital building as the state House of Representatives gave the final approval to the bill. “This is the day Michigan freed its workers,” said Republican Representative Lisa Lyons. “This is about freedom, fairness and equality,” House Speaker Jase Bolger said. “These are basic American rights, rights that should unite us.”

Union supporters, however, called the legislation an attempt to weaken unions by reducing its income and capacity for collective bargaining. “Let me tell the governor and all those elected officials who vote for this shameful, divisive bill – there will be repercussions,” said Teamsters union national president, Jim Hoffa Jr. “Someday soon, they will face the voters of Michigan and they will have to explain why they sided with the billionaires to back this destructive legislation.”