LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – The newly inducted Democratic Michigan House of Representatives will likely discuss legislation this week regarding the Right-To-Work law that was signed into law in 2012 under Gov. Rich Snyder.  

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Representatives on both sides of the aisle will consider bills that will seek to undo more than decade old law which bars labor contracts from requiring workers to become union members or pay the union a fee as a condition of their employment.  Advocates of the repeal believe that workers ought to pay for union benefits that they receive. 

“The phrase ‘right-to-work’ is a lie,” said Rep. Regina Weiss, D-Oak Park, who is sponsoring the repeal effort in the House. “These laws do nothing but hurt hard working Michiganders by hamstringing their ability to effectively organize for good benefits and competitive wages.”

Others believe that as long as the law remains, it could have adverse effects on the Michigan economy, deterring future businesses from considering the option to move into a Right-To-Work state. 

Proponents of the Right-To-Work law argue that repealing the measure also fear that the outcome could be detrimental to the Michigan economy. 

“What ‘right-to-work’ is, is workers’ freedom to choose. It’s as simple as that,” West Michigan Policy Forum policy advisor Jase Bolger said, ““It’s key for economic development. … Incentives may help make finalized decisions, but you have to appear on a list, a site selection list, and so many companies, manufacturing jobs, etc. – one of the first boxes they have to check is, is the state a right to work state?”

The Democratic lawmakers in the House have the numbers to pass the repeal with a 56 majority, and a two seat majority in the Senate as well.   

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