Mich. becomes right-to-work state despite protests
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A crowd protests outside the state Capitol against two controversial right-to-work bills that the Michigan House of Representatives passed in Lansing, Mich. on Tuesday Dec. 11, 2012. As chants of angry protesters filled the Capitol, Michigan lawmakers gave final approval Tuesday to right-to-work legislation, dealing a devastating and once-unthinkable defeat to organized labor in a state that has been a bastion of the movement for generations.
LANSING, MICH. — In a dizzyingly short time span, Republicans have converted Michigan from a seemingly impregnable fortress of organized labor into a right-to-work state, leaving outgunned Democrats and union activists with little recourse but to shake their fists and seek retribution at the ballot box.
The state House swiftly approved two bills reducing unions’ strength Tuesday, one dealing with private-sector workers and the other with public employees, as thousands of furious protesters at the state Capitol roared in vain. Republican Gov. Rick Snyder signed the measures into law within hours, calling them “pro-worker and pro-Michigan.”
“Workers deserve the right to decide for themselves whether union membership benefits them,” Snyder said. “Introducing freedom-to-work in Michigan will contribute to our state’s economic comeback while preserving the roles of unions and collective bargaining.”
House Speaker Jase Bolger exulted after the vote that Michigan’s future “has never been brighter,” while Democrats and union activists said workers had been doomed to ever-lower living standards. Lacking enough votes to block the measures or force a statewide referendum, opponents set their sights on the 2014 election.
“Passing these bills is an act of war on Michigan’s middle class, and I hope the governor and the Republican legislators are ready for the fight that is about to ensue,” said Gretchen Whitmer, the Senate Democratic leader.
As 1 of 24 states with right-to-work laws, Michigan will prohibit requiring nonunion employees to pay unions for negotiating contracts, representing them in grievances and other services. Supporters say the laws give workers freedom of association and promote job creation, while critics insist the real intent is to drain unions of funds need to bargain effectively.
Labor has suffered a series of setbacks in Rust Belt states since the 2010 election propelled tea party conservatives to power across much of the region. Even so, the ruthless efficiency with which Republicans prevailed on right-to-work was breathtaking in Michigan, birthplace of the United Auto Workers, where unions have long been political titans.
The seeds were planted two years ago with the election of Snyder, a former venture capitalist and CEO who pledged to make the state more business-friendly, and GOP supermajorities in the House and Senate. They have chipped away repeatedly at union power, even as Snyder insisted the big prize — right-to-work — was “not on my agenda.”
Fearing the governor wouldn’t be able to restrain his allies in the Legislature, labor waged a pre-emptive strike with a ballot initiative known as Proposal 2 that would have made right-to-work laws unconstitutional. It was soundly defeated in last month’s election, and Snyder said Tuesday the unions had miscalculated by bringing the issue to center stage.
“I don’t believe we would be standing here in this time frame if it hadn’t been for Proposal 2,” the governor said at a news conference after signing the bills. “After the election, there was an extreme escalation on right-to-work that was very divisive.”
After days of private talks with legislative and union leaders, Snyder threw his support behind the measures last Thursday. Within hours, Senate Republicans had introduced and approved them without the usual committee hearings. After a mandatory five-day waiting period, the House did likewise Tuesday.
It happened so quickly that opponents had little time to generate the massive resistance put forward in Indiana, where right-to-work was approved earlier this year, and Wisconsin during consideration of a 2011 law curtailing collective bargaining rights for most state employees. Those measures provoked weeks of intense debate, with Democrats boycotting sessions to delay action and tens of thousands of activists occupying statehouses.
Still, Michigan unions mustered thousands of protesters who massed in the Capitol’s hallways, rotunda and front lawn. Crowds formed before dawn on a chilly morning. Four oversized, inflatable toy rats bearing the names of Snyder and GOP legislative leaders were on display.
“They’re selfish. They’re greedy. They’re Republican,” said Susan Laurin, 60, of Saginaw, a secretary with the state Department of Transportation, wearing a hard hat like many fellow demonstrators.
Seventh-grade teacher Jack Johnson, of East Lansing, said the GOP’s goal was obvious: “You take away money from the unions and they can’t support the Democratic candidates, and the Republicans take over.”
“No justice, no peace!” protesters chanted, the chorus reaching a deafening din as the House prepared to vote. “Shame on you!” they shouted from the House gallery as the results were announced.
Republicans insisted the bills were given adequate consideration, as the issue had been debated across the state for years. Snyder said he saw no reason to delay signing the measures, especially with opponents still hoping to dissuade him.
“They can finish up, and they can go home because they know ... making more comments on that is not going to change the outcome,” he said. “I view this as simply trying to get this issue behind us.”
Don’t count on it, state Democratic Chairman Mark Brewer retorted.
“If Gov. Snyder thinks that Michigan citizens will go home and forget about what happened in Lansing today, he is sorely mistaken,” state Democratic Chairman Mark Brewer said. “Snyder has set the tone for the next two years, and this fight is not over.”
Snyder said he expects the law to be challenged in court but believes it will stand. Opponents also said they might seek recalls of some legislators.
Meanwhile, unions must adapt to a new reality.
The laws take effect 90 days after the Legislature adjourns. Even then, workers bound by existing contracts won’t be able to stop paying union fees until those deals expire. But activists fear some will opt out at first opportunity.
“A lot of people like to freeload,” said Sharon McMullen, an employee of the state Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.
Associated Press reporters Todd Richmond and Corey Williams in Lansing contributed to this story.
Dec 15, 2012 at 8:43 a.m.
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Pro-Union activist at rally to Michigan Governor: "We'll meet you on Geddes Road. We'll be at your daughter's soccer game" These people really are uncivilized thugs.
Dec 14, 2012 at 7:42 a.m.
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midnight you are right there needs to be a balance, neither side offers that which is why I choose to do my own negotiating and worry about myself, makes life easier.
Dec 13, 2012 at 8:33 p.m.
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There will always be those who only acknowledge the bad and attribute that to the whole, but it's always wise to remember not to throw the baby out with the bath water.
Dec 13, 2012 at 7:23 p.m.
Dec 13, 2012 at 6:20 p.m.
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Those who celebrate the loss of union influence will live to regret it, if not for themselves then for their children and/or grandchildren. Not everything the unions do is good any more than everything management does is good, but there needs to be a good working relationship between the two. It's a sad thing to see everything polarized these days. Some of you really need to wake up. Pride is a dangerous thing.
Dec 13, 2012 at 5:37 p.m.
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Those that anti-union fail to understand the basic thoughts of the good of many out way the need of the few. Now you say that freedom to say my grievances at work about thing like unsafe working conditions is wrong. If you have ever been wrong I hope you would have it righten without having to go to court. You do not understand what was lost to have this voice. People lost thier lives for that right and now you laugh and take it away in a blink of the eye. By right now can stop at the work place door. I hope you never have to know that.Good Lord bless the working man and troubles they have to live with.
Dec 13, 2012 at 5:26 p.m.
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Midnight, you have a point. There is a lot of bull on the Republican side, but it is also prevalent on the Democrat side.
Dec 13, 2012 at 5:17 p.m.
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Since you have a nice herd of cattle. Democrats now call you "evil" "greedy" etc etc.
Democrats need Republicans for liberal socialism to survive.
Notice: Republicans don't need liberals for conservatism to survive and thrive.
Dec 13, 2012 at 5:12 p.m.
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You are a man with two cows.
Socialism: Take one cow and give to your neighbor.
Communism: Take both cows and give you 1 bottle of milk everyday.
Democrats: Tax both cows so high you have to sell one. They take the tax, along with borrowed money to buy an overpriced cow to give to your neighbor.
Republicans: Sell one cow, buy a bull and create a nice herd of cattle.
Dec 13, 2012 at 5:06 p.m.
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If there were a civil war. Liberals would lose. Without Capitalism, liberalism has no fuel to feed it's hunger for taxes and other people's hard earn income.
http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Hollywood/2...
Another crazy leftist like mousezi who wants dictatorship by annihilation. The crazies are coming out now.
Dec 13, 2012 at 4:17 p.m.
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Unions and publicly traded corporations cannot co-exist, as their goals are polar opposite. The unions served their purpose in reducing the workweek to 5 days and 40 hours while creating and strengthening safety regulations. Now the government has taken that mantle and run with it. The global marketplace dictates that wages needed to come down in the US, and they have. Times have changed. They will change again. But this is the way of things now. Stop clinging to the past and disrupting forward movement.
Dec 13, 2012 at 3:52 p.m.
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@raystone and ECartman: I have the right to my views and opinion on the Tea Party. Thanks for your time and concern.
Dec 13, 2012 at 11:11 a.m.
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I agree raystone. Will_k drew his line in the sand and made his opinion very clear on his first ever post. "Civil war will be the outcome of the rights foolish venture in greed and power grabbing". Doesn't sound anything like koom-bye-yah let's work together to me.
Dec 13, 2012 at 8:58 a.m.
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will_kirchmayer. Are you kidding me? Here's your 1st post on this story, and you think you can seriously post this latest sanctimonious 'let's work together' bs? will_kirchmayer post from Dec 12th: "You can thank the traitorous and seccesionistic fools of the Tea party for this blot on the American record."
Dec 13, 2012 at 8:42 a.m.
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I neither want nor hope for conflict in our nation. My view is that if we remain and become further divided, then civil war may be the outcome.
If we as a people can find the similarities with each other...then we have a chance to heal the rifts between us and move our nation forward.
The big point of contention and the focal point of controversy is money and its influence on the people of the United States.
We the people are this nation, not just what can be bought and traded.
Lets work together\.
Dec 13, 2012 at 8:33 a.m.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsX51i1qm...
Intolerance displayed with liberals....again...
Remains me of mousezi and nazism. Hot dog vendor not "allowed" to sell to the right.
No freedom of choice here by the liberals.
Dec 13, 2012 at 7:55 a.m.
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Interesting information...
Union Facts: Vital Statistics
Financial Information
Annual Dues Paid to Unions: $8,209,113,955
Total Union Assets: $8,775,962,626
Total Spending
Representational Activities: $4,074,510,945
Political Activities: $582,248,875
External Contributions: $333,982,197
Overhead: $3,914,513,501
Unions that fail to pass Department of Labor audits: 92%
Those are some impressive numbers. Over $8 billion in annual dues. Over half a billion in political activities.
Union Officials
Total union officers and staff members: 173,389 people
Total compensation paid to union officials and officers: $1,152,061,495
Total compensation paid to union employees: $2,563,981,776
Almost 175,000 union officers? And note that their compensation totals almost half as much as that paid to the rank and file members.
Diversity
Major Unions with White Presidents: 94%
Major Unions with Male Presidents: 89%
http://www.unionfacts.com/cuf/vitals
Dec 13, 2012 at 7:27 a.m.
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"There Will Be Blood!" vows Michigan Democrat State Representative.
http://www.examiner.com/article/there-wi...
Dec 13, 2012 at 6:58 a.m.
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I thought one of the User Policy Agreements was "Don't threaten to hurt or kill anyone" and willK wants "civil war" against those who no longer favor union bigotry and hate. What did I miss here?
Dec 13, 2012 at 6:47 a.m.
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Huh, no mention of the violence and assaults by they union thugs and the threat of "there will be blood" by one of the socialist "elected" leaders. Article must have been written by the Associated Press... and bingo... it was.
Dec 13, 2012 at 3:21 a.m.
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Think about it... what does that "so-called" Right do for you workers?? If the majority of a union factory decides not to participate in the collective bargaining of the union...the company can lower wages and the union workers either take the lower wage like the non union people... or leave.......It also would restrict unions' ability to raise money to organize new members or support organized labor's public policy objectives. NOT GOOD for the Workers Rights! Whose behind this movement???.........
Koch Brothers of course. Just because Romney didn't win, they will not stop trying to run the USA...They want to run Politicians who cater to their Big subsidies & deregulation on all areas. They want to bust the unions because unions support the democratic party. If they bust the unions they will run the USA........ The Koch brothers use their considerable wealth to bankroll the right wing, including the Tea Party. This serves the purpose of furthering not only their right-wing ideology but also their bottom line. Koch Industries has a lot to gain from gutting government oversight and electing candidates who oppose government regulation, especially in the oil-and-gas industry.
Dec 13, 2012 at 2:37 a.m.
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Congratulations to all of the workers in Michigan - hopefuly Wisconsin is following in your footsteps.
Dec 13, 2012 at 1:44 a.m.
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The auto unions contributed over $737,000 to Obama's re-election campaign. Why do you think Obama flew to MI and stuck his nose in their state's business??? It's called payback!! The language coming from these union employees speaks volumes. They are thugs and will do anything to get their way. It appears intimidation, physical violence, threats, etc., are what they're about. Those union employees who were caught drinking and smoking pot on their lunch breaks were earning $59/hr. Who gets paid $59/hr?? I don't. And to think they go on strike. For what?? They already have great pay, benefits and pensions. And they got their jobs back. Each of you may be driving one of those cars they built while under the influence. Wonder why there are so many recalls? They showed their true selves on TV. Pretty pathetic!!
Dec 12, 2012 at 10:11 p.m.
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Freedom lives in the USA.
Freedom --of choice.
Isn't that OK?
Dec 12, 2012 at 5:29 p.m.
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There are quite a few threats of violence from these right wing Mensans on here. They like to say things like "bring it on" and other cliches. Just because George Bush said it doesn't change the fact that it make one sound very simple minded. I am a union person, father was, don't know if Granddad was while a pipefitter at the Port of Long Beach Naval shipyard or not, I would guess he was. It isn't an obsession or anything like that, it just worked out that way. Bottom line; you internet tough guys want to watch your mouth, you will run it to the wrong person someday and he might just give you a little life lesson.
Dec 12, 2012 at 4:22 p.m.
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I once worked with union carpenters in Michigan. Very strict. As a "non-union" supervisor, if I did too much of the real work, their steward would pull me aside and tell me I couldn't do that. That was their work. Elitist mentality at it's worst. Of course, they also thought they had the world by the short hairs making 35 bucks an hour, but 35K a year.
Dec 12, 2012 at 4:01 p.m.
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nice comeback and thanks for addressing my position in a very clever way. Doesn't take away that the behavior and actions of the unions in Michigan are cult like.
Dec 12, 2012 at 3:28 p.m.
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Congrats, Eagle1. You've just revealed that your IQ is equal to room temperature.
Dec 12, 2012 at 3:06 p.m.
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Everyone has the right to join or not join a cult if they like, how is this any different?
Dec 12, 2012 at 2:49 p.m.
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Bring it on Will_K -- the people of America are ready and you are highly out-numbered. Unions have pushed people to the edge and they are starting to fight back.
Dec 12, 2012 at 2:07 p.m.
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You union guys and your peaceful demonstrations. Not like those hate filled protests of the tea party. Unions will be stamped out like a doo doo filled paper bag set on fire. "Greed and power grabbing" is the unions mantre. Civil war? Ok telephone tough guy...
Dec 12, 2012 at 11:23 a.m.
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ganderso, you could have stopped after the word Detroit.
Dec 12, 2012 at 10:28 a.m.
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I feel sorry for the idiots who will go to work in factories in Detroit and choose not to join the union. Factories can be dangerous places. Just sayin.
Dec 12, 2012 at 9:39 a.m.
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It is a war....class warfare.....
Dec 12, 2012 at 8:43 a.m.
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"Civil war will be the outcome of the rights foolish venture in greed and power grabbing."
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Considering that unionized labor compromises a miniscule 12% of the population, I would guess that they would seriously get their butts kicked if they decided to go to "war":)
Dec 12, 2012 at 8:35 a.m.
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You can thank the traitorous and seccesionistic fools of the Tea party for this blot on the American record.
Civil war will be the outcome of the rights foolish venture in greed and power grabbing.
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