Opinion: Right-to-work isn't working for Michigan

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Steven Greenhouse
November 19, 2022

Michigan Democrats scored historic victories in the midterm elections, taking control of the state House, Senate, and the governor’s mansion for the first time since 1983. The wins were thanks, at least in part, to the Democrats’ pro-worker, pro-jobs agenda.

Now it’s time for Democrats to show that their pro-worker agenda isn’t just talk. One good way to do that would be for the legislature, as a first order of business, to repeal Michigan’s decade-old right-to-work law. By getting rid of a law that weakened Michigan’s labor unions, Democratic lawmakers would make a powerful statement that they are ready and eager to help workers win higher wages and better benefits.

Residents of Michigan should welcome such a repeal because right-to-work laws hurt workers. According to a study by the Economic Policy Institute, workers’ wages in right-to-work states are 3.1 percent lower than in non-right-to-work states, after adjusting for differences in the cost of living. Put another way: a worker’s wages are, on average, some $1,600 lower per year.

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Many supporters of right-to-work laws insist that they’re not being anti-union – they insist it’s all about helping workers by giving them the freedom to stop paying union dues. It’s odd, however, that these right-to-work supporters who say they’re eager to help workers are rarely or ever seen doing anything else to help workers. They typically oppose raising the minimum wage; they oppose legislation to give workers paid sick days and paid parental leave; they oppose strengthening regulations to improve job safety. It seems that the only time these lawmakers want to help workers is when it weakens unions.

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Full opinion

[Baitball Blogger]

1. Right to work was another title for a bill that used Republican misdirection.

It should have been called Right to Fire.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

2. I envy Michiganders, if it actually happens.

My company's policy manual clearly states they're a right-to-work company which can immediately terminate employees for any reason, or no reason at all.

Yet the same manual states that employees are expected to provide the company with a minimum of two weeks notice if they decide to leave.

[raising2moredems]

6. Even in a non-right to work state

They can terminate you in a blink but attempt to say you HAVE to give them two weeks notice. I've known this for my entire working life (40+ years) and thankfully haven't worked for any companies that made me want to say the famous Johnny Paycheck phrase. But it is still my option but knowing me, I'd make sure my worthwhile co-workers weren't left hanging by sending out pertinent doco/info prior to me saying shove it.
IL amendment passed and I'm glad workers are protected. The anti's lie of "will raise taxes" didn't fly. So maybe time for the income tax amendment again.

[randr]

3. Right to Work laws were promoted by the Koch's

They wrote the laws and paid to have them installed across the Nation

[SheltieLover]

4. Anti-union people are always happy to have the benefits a union provides as well!

Let's hope this is a new era for MI's unions!

[MichMan]

5. Why not eliminate exclusive representation clauses, so anyone opting out negotiates for themselves

That way no one can opt out and still benefit. Aka freeloaders

[BComplex]

7. It doesn't work in North Carolina, either, but we're stuck with what the Koch brothers wrought

in this state. We now have a total republican dominant legislature. "Right to work" is an insult to American workers; it's not much more than working with NO RIGHTS.