Sound Off on Right-to-Work Legislation
Leaders, including Berkley Education Association president Mary Lou Gleason and U.S. Congressman Gary Peters, weigh in on what's at stake.
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It was a chaotic day in Lansing as several bills that are part of controversial right-to-work legislation advanced in the House and Senate, demonstrators temporarily were locked out of the Capitol and Democratic lawmakers walked out in protest Thursday.
Gov. Rick Snyder, who previously had said making Michigan a right-to-work state was not on his agenda, stunned observers Thursday morning when he announced he would sign off on just such legislation if it came to his desk.
Right-to-work states prohibit unions from requiring workers to pay dues as a term of employment.
The day's events touched off impassioned reactions, including the following.
[Leave a comment to share your thoughts!]
“This is about workplace fairness and equality. This is about the relationship between workers and their union. Workers should have a right to choose who they associate with.” – Gov. Rick Snyder via Bloomberg News
"The expectation is that it could very possibly greatly weaken our Berkley Education Association and the voice of teachers in education. We are very disappointed in Governor Snyder's decision after he said this was not on his agenda. We feel it is a very divisive decision on his part and that so-called 'Right to Work' (for less) does not create jobs. It is another attack on the middle class and will take more money out of the hands of working people. Money that would have most likely gone into the local economy." – Mary Lou Gleason, president of the Berkley Education Association
"This is not about Republican vs. Democrat, this is not management vs. labor, this does not change collective bargaining, this is not anti-union. It is pro-worker. This is about Michigan's hard workers. Michigan has the greatest workforce in the country." – House Speaker Jase Bolger via the Huffington Post
“Governor Snyder campaigned on a promise of unity, but instead he’s ushering in an era of divisiveness across Michigan by launching an attack against working families. By trying to jam this through a lame duck session, Governor Snyder is trying to prevent voters from seeing how he is dividing Michigan instead of working to ensure the future of our state during this fragile recovery" – U.S. Congressman Gary Peters, who represents the Ninth District, including Berkley
Kevin Moser
9:11 am on Friday, December 7, 2012
I fail to understand how giving someone a choice is a bad thing? Not looking for an argument, but expect one. I know several people that worked in small union shops affiliated with the UAW and Teamsters were never represented when they had a grievence or benefited from higher wages and they said it was because the shops were so small. They did not receive the same benefits compared to someone working at the big three but paid dues just like them. So knowing this, I fail to understand why they should not have the right of choice. If where they are working has a large union presence why would they not join? If they are in a smaller shop or workplace that does not receive the same representation, why would they join? Would you like to be employed at a place where dues are forced on you and you are not represented? How is that fair?
Ken Trepanier
1:08 pm on Friday, December 7, 2012
Unions in the past played an import role in providing a good place to work but now we have state and federal laws that protect the employees. Many times the contract wording is the same as the written laws. Union bosses are fat cats who receive money and really do not care about workers they represent. This law will get them back in the saddle to do their job if they want to survive. Unions also need to help management eliminate the worker who does not preform so a worker who wants to work, can get the job and perform well to make our companys competitive. The many years that I have been in the automotive plants the unions spend 90% of their time on saving 20% of the employees who do not want to work. This bad for everyone when jobs go to other countries.
Jackie Dziedziula
9:30 am on Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Those shops negotiated their own contracts, so perhaps they got what they bargained for. If they had poor representation, shame on the rep. Where I personally have a problem is someone who doesn't pay their fair share to the union, for receiving all of the same benefits. If this is really freedom of association, each individual has the freedom to associate themselves with a union affiliated job or not.
Larissa H
8:08 pm on Tuesday, December 11, 2012
I agree with you, Kevin. I consider myself to be a Democrat. However, I find it fascinating that many of my fellow Democrats who will otherwise vehemently argue that people should have a right to CHOOSE in other aspects of life are now fighting against the right to choose in the workplace? I may be oversimplifying, but, for me, this is part of the rub. I also believe that the Unions are essentially selling a service. If that service is as amazing and life saving as the Unions believe that it is, then why wouldn't people happily pay for that service? Surely the thousands of people in Lansing today will continue to pay their dues. So... what am I missing?
J Thomas Franco
9:02 pm on Friday, December 7, 2012
Isn't it wonderful to see the GOP campaigning for worker rights? Only one totally ignorant of history could believe that worker freedom is their goal. It is highly unlikely that many workers have contributed to fund their slick, deceptive ads. Did large numbers of their constituents write requesting this action? No, they have been handed their scripts by the Koch Brothers and DeVos. So, who, then do they represent?
charles O'Neil
9:30 am on Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Once again teachers are putting their unions ahead of their students. They have forced several school district to close because they are going to Lansing tomorrow to protest. They are not lossing their right to join a union. Their union will be lossing money if teachers are not forced to join unions.
Sharon Eby
9:30 am on Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Yes, what a joke to GOP talking about jobs! Do they think the people of Michigan are stupid? It is a very sad day in our state, and the people that support the right to work do not understand all that unions have done for this state and the people of Michigan. All the standards will go down, people will work with all hours, bad conditions and no benefits and it will affect everyone. I just think it wrong that we the people of Michigan cannot vote on this. Not a democracy a dictator, that is what Synder is. A real snake that don't care about anyone but his own agenda. He has to go and the other Republicans with him. It is time for the people to rise up and take a stand, and not back down!
Diane Sands
11:46 am on Tuesday, December 11, 2012
This is not a good thing. This is not a right to work bill. It is a right to fire bill. We are going backward in time with this legislation. Workers will lose their power to speak out against unfair labor practices. Have jobs increased in states with this type of anti- union legislation - no.
Pasquale Battaglia
11:46 am on Tuesday, December 11, 2012
The 1st Amendment to the US Constitution already protects Americans right to peaceably assemble. This is the only law unions need. It is free association. Unions have abused this right… They have bought and paid for politicians to help them do so. TODAY, in Michigan we see the continuation of the end of forced unions. Unions now have the opportunity to adapt and compete or become irrelevant.
Steve Herrington
8:08 pm on Tuesday, December 11, 2012
This is way overdue, it's about time we learn how to attract jobs to this State! When there's only 10 union workers left working in this state maybe the rest of us would like to have a job!! Why do you think there are no new foreign car factories here, they're all in Ohio and the Southern States and the workers in them are making a great living without paying Union Dues!!