December 7, 2012: Michigan workers and unions have been hit with "right to work" legislation which would outlaw union contract clauses with employers that require all workers to pay dues or a fair share fee. The bill passed the Michigan House yesterday in a sneak attack; it was rushed through the lame-duck session with no hearings held on the important bill.
Many of the bill’s supporters will not be in office next month when the newly-elected legislature takes office. No Democrats voted for the bill, and a few Republicans opposed it also. Governor Rick Snyder has endorsed the anti-labor bill and presumably would sign it within a week.
Thousands of unionists and worker-advocates rushed to the capital to be heard, but found themselves locked out of the capital building. Labor is vowing a campaign in the streets and ballot box to reverse the anti-labor law.
Michigan will be only the second state in the mid-west or northeast states to suffer this law. Indiana adopted the law in February, the first state to do so in over a decade.
Thousands Protest Rushed-Through Law
Lame-Duck Session Passes "Right to Work" in Michigan