GREENVILLE — On Friday, Michigan became the first state in more than half a century to repeal its status as a “right-to-work” state after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed the ‘Restoring Workers’ Rights’ bill package into law.
With the Democratic party holding control of the governorship, state Senate and House following last November’s general election, the repeal of right-to-work (voted strictly upon party lines) is considered a win for unions as right-to-work states do not require union membership as a condition of employment.
The repeal reverses the right-to-work law previously implemented by former Gov. Rick Snyder in 2012 — also voted upon at that time along party lines when Republicans held control of the governorship, state Senate and House.
While those who oppose right-to-work laws accuse such legislation of being responsible for weakening unions and eroding bargaining power, during the March 20 Legislative Update meeting held at Montcalm Community College’s Greenville campus, Sen. Rick Outman, R-Six Lakes and Rep. Pat Outman, R-Six Lakes, who both voted “no” on the repealing legislation, expressed their disappointment in the law being overturned by Whitmer.
Rick expressed his own fear that Michigan will become a less-attractive state to employers if union membership is required once again for employees working jobs where unions have been established.
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