If it can happen in Michigan, it can happen anywhere.
The nightmare scenario in Michigan is galvanizing union members across the country to rise up against a new law that decimates union rights in a state that is a bedrock to the labor movement.
Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder signed into law "right-to-work" (for less) legislation at the behest of corporate donors who want to wipe out unions in this birthplace of the American auto workers union.
"By ramming this legislation through during the lame duck session, Gov. Snyder and his Republican accomplices in the statehouse have demonstrated their contempt not only for Michigan's middle class families, but also for democracy itself. (His) own flip-flop on this issue reveals the lengths to which he is willing to go to deliver for the Koch brothers, ALEC, CEOs and other extremists waging a war on working people — all while ignoring the will of Michigan citizens and the needs of Michigan families," said AFT President Randi Weingarten. She noted that so-called right-to-work laws drive down wages for all workers by an average of $1,500 a year, whether they are in a union or not. The law, which affects both public and private sector workers, can be overturned, and unions are pursuing challenges.
The AFL-CIO has posted a primer about the damaging effects right-to-work (for less) laws have on wages and benefits. Visit www.afl-cio.org.