Michigan became the first state in decades to repeal its “right to work” law, which prevented labor contracts from requiring covered workers to join a union or pay dues, under legislation Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) signed into law.
Enactment of the legislation (SB 34), which Whitmer signed Friday, is a major win for labor unions. It’s part of Democrats’ pro-labor agenda that includes separate bills related to public-sector union dues and prevailing wages for state construction projects that Whitmer also signed into law.
Prior to this legislation, Michigan was one of 27 states that prohibited labor contracts imposing mandatory union membership or dues as a condition of employment. The repeal of the “right to work” law takes effect 90 days after the end of the current session, which will be April 2024.
The Democratic-sponsored legislation passed strictly along party lines after Democrats won narrow majorities in the state House and Senate while Whitmer won re-election in November.
Among other employment-law priorities for Democrats this year, Whitmer signed a measure March 16 to specifically add sexual orientation and gender identity to the state’s anti-discrimination law.
The “right to work” repeal will mean private-sector employees in unionized workplaces can be contractually required to join the union or pay dues, a common provision in states where the...
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