Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has signed into law Democratic bills to repeal the state's right-to-work law that allowed workers to opt out of paying union dues or fees. She also reinstated a prevailing wage law that requires union-level wages and benefits for state-funded construction projects.
"Today, we are coming together to restore workers’ rights, protect Michiganders on the job, and grow Michigan's middle class," Whitmer said in a statement Friday. "Michigan workers are the most talented and hard-working in the world and deserve to be treated with dignity and respect."
In repealing right-to-work, Whitmer reneged on a promise she made at the outset of her first term as governor to veto legislation containing appropriations. Because voters cannot subject bills that include spending provisions to a referendum, Whitmer signed an executive directive vowing to reject bills that included appropriations to circumvent the public's right to a referendum.
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The spending in the right-to-work repeal bills mirrors what Republican lawmakers did last decade. Democrats also include appropriations approved by Whitmer in the prevailing wage bill, dedicating funds for the purpose of educating the public on the major labor law changes.
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