YPSILANTI, MI - It’s clear where Ypsilanti’s city leaders stand in a brewing fight to take down Michigan’s right-to-work laws, allowing workers in union jobs to opt out of paying dues and fees supporting labor organizations.
With Democrats in control of the state Legislature for the first time in decades, City Council unanimously passed a resolution on Tuesday, Feb 21 urging lawmakers to repeal the laws passed by Republicans more than a decade ago as thousands protested at the state Capitol.
“I hate this law, and I’m glad to have this brought forward and send this message along to our state legislators. I hope they do something about this,” said Council Member Jennifer Symanns, Ward 2, ahead of the vote.
Fellow Council Member Desirae Simmons, Ward 3, thanked labor leaders for bringing the resolution forward, adding she hoped other cities would follow suit to put pressure on lawmakers to act quickly.
Early in their tenure this year controlling both houses of the state Legislature and the governor’s office, Democrats introduced a trio of bills to undo the ban on compulsory payment of union dues, fiercely partisan legislation signed into law by Republican Gov. Rick Snyder in 2012.
Read more: Michigan Democrats promise Right-to-Work repeal amid staunch Republican opposition
If successful, they could make Michigan the first state in nearly 60 years to roll back the laws.
Proponents have claimed right-to-work states have more economic growth and an edge attracting businesses...
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