LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – The majority Democrat Michigan House narrowly passed a package of bills including the repeal of a decade old right-to-work law, and restoring prevailing wage requirements; with some exceptions. 

 

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Right-to-work laws previously barred labor contracts from requiring workers to become union members or pay the union a fee as a condition of their employment, which passed under former Republican Governor Rick Snyder in 2012.  

The House passed the bills by a margin of 56 yes votes to 53 no votes late Wednesday night after a series of statements made by representatives on the floor. 

House Majority Floor Leader and Representative Abraham Aiyash (D-Hamtramck) spoke in favor of the bill and criticized those who opposed it. 

“We are restoring the right to work in a safe place,” Aiyash said. “We are restoring the right for a living wage. We are restoring the right for dignified retirements.” 

House Minority Leader Matt Hall (R-Richland Township) voiced his concern that the repeal would negatively affect the state’s economy. 

“The rushed Democrat pay cut plan, which would repeal Michigan’s right-to-work law, will steer workers and businesses away from our state, when we’re already falling behind, “ Hall said in a statement, “Ditching this successful, pro-worker policy will only slash workers’ wages and drive up the price tag needed to land future manufacturing projects.”

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The House legislation would also restore prevailing wages in both public and private sectors, in addition to repealing the right-to-work law. However, a 2018 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Janus v. AFSCME, which found mandatory membership fees among public unions violated the First Amendment, is expected to cancel out the public sector portion of the new law according to the Detroit News. 

While Democrats in the legislature celebrated the bills passing and anticipate the Senate’s vote next week, some businesses have come forward already opposing the new legislation. 

President and CEO of the Michigan Manufacturers Association, John J. Walsh, issued a statement conveying his deep concern for the repeal as it would “reverse progress on Michigan’s economic competitiveness and the ability to grow and keep jobs.” 

“If Michigan loses its decade-long status as a Right-to-Work state, the Great Lakes State will remove itself from the list of states for potential new investment for both companies outside of Michigan and those who are already here,” Walsh said in a statement. “Whether the new investment is related to electric vehicle and battery production, or based in the knowledge economy, semiconductors or green energy, Michigan will lose future investment and we will lose good-paying manufacturing jobs.” 

The Senate is expected to vote on the bills next week during session, and likely forward them on for the Governor’s signature.