Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed into law Friday Democratic bills to repeal Michigan's right-to-work law that currently allows workers in the state to not pay 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. "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.
The spending in the right-to-work repeal bills mirror 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.
Just over half of states have right-to-work laws in place. With the stroke of her pen, Whitmer made Michigan the first state in nearly 60 years to abandon the policy opposed by labor advocates.
"Today is a historic win for workers everywhere," said state Sen....
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