Michigan's House Labor Committee advanced legislation Wednesday to repeal Michigan's "right-to-work" law that currently allows workers in unionized jobs to opt out of paying union dues and fees.
In 2012, Republican lawmakers made Michigan a right-to-work state, a move that brought thousands of protesters to the Capitol. Michigan — a state steeped in labor history — could become the first state in nearly 60 years to ditch its right-to-work law.
"It's long past time we get back to our roots," said sponsor state Rep. Regina Weiss, D-Oak Park. She said in committee testimony the law has undercut wages and benefits for the state's workers.
Over GOP objections, Democrats on the committee advanced the legislation to the House floor, where a vote is expected later today. Democrats on the committee also moved a bill to restore Michigan's prevailing wage requirement for wages and benefits paid at union rates for public construction projects.
State Rep. Brenda Carter, D-Pontiac, who sponsored the prevailing wage bill told the committee the legislation would ensure workers are offered competitive wages and called it a good deal for taxpayers footing the bill for the projects.
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