Michigan House passes anti-union bill

Indiana workers, feeling Michigan's pain nearly a year earlier.

The Michigan House passed a so-called "right to work" bill applying to private sector workers Thursday afternoon by a 58 to 52 margin. Republicans hold a 64 to 46 advantage in the House.

The law would prevent unions and employers from requiring workers to pay the costs of their union representation, such as handling grievances or bargaining contracts. Rather, union members would bear those costs on behalf of their non-union coworkers, something that's been described as a tax on union membership. A separate bill will apply to public sector workers.

"You're doing this in lame duck because you know next session, you won't have the votes," said state Rep. Brandon Dillon, D-Grand Rapids. "This is an outrage."

White House spokesperson Matt Lehrich said:

President Obama has long opposed so-called ?right to work? laws and he continues to oppose them now. ?The President believes our economy is stronger when workers get good wages and good benefits, and he opposes attempts to roll back their rights. Michigan?and its workers' role in the revival of the US automobile industry?is a prime example of how unions have helped build a strong middle class and a strong American economy.

The Michigan Senate is working on its own version of a similar bill.

Originally posted to Daily Kos Labor on Thu Dec 06, 2012 at 03:24 PM PST.

Also republished by Daily Kos.

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Source: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/12/06/1167816/-Michigan-House-passes-anti-union-bill

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