(CBS DETROIT) - A bill to repeal Michigan's right-to-work law is heading to Governor Gretchen Whitmer's desk.
The bill would prevent employees in unionized jobs from opting out of membership and paying dues. Whitmer is expected to sign the bill as early as next week.
Right-to-work has been in place in Michigan since 2012. Repealing the law would be a national landmark for organized labor.
"It's incredibly rare, actually for any state to reverse a right-to-work law, once it's been enacted," said Michael Oswalt, a Wayne State University law professor. "It hasn't happened in decades and decades."
He said the repeal would be a shift in labor trends across the country, but wouldn't have a direct impact on most workers.
"In Michigan, only about 15% of workers are covered by a collective bargaining agreement at all," Oswalt said.
The repeal wouldn't impact jobs in the public sector like police, fire and public school teachers. But could impact unionized jobs in the private sectors, like the auto industry, construction and manufacturing jobs.
Oswalt said supporters of the bill hope repealing right-to-work would draw more Michiganders to unions.
Labor and employment lawyer, Richard Mack, said studies have shown the repeal would mean more money in those workers' pockets.
"They've looked at right-to-work states, and those workers in those states, make $1,600 less per year," said Mack, a partner at Miller Cohen law firm.
He said right-to-work allows people to benefit from union...
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