Michigan has long been the cornerstone of American autoworkers.
Michigan also has a long history with organized labor.
But Michigan’s Democrat Governor just stabbed every worker in her state in the back.
Michigan Democrat Governor Gretchen Whitmer just destroyed all the progress made by Right to Work legislation in her state – almost overnight.
For those out of the loop, here is some brief history in the Right to Work battle.
The National Labor Relations Act of 1935 permitted organized labor unions to collect dues – aka an additional income tax on individuals – from their workers.
They believed all workers should be required to pay this tax.
The logic is that all workers benefited from the union’s bargaining agreements, even if they were not union members.
Next came the Taft-Hartley Act of 1947, which opened Right to Work laws for states and stopped mandatory union dues for workers.
Democrat Governor Gretchen Whitmer won re-election in November’s Midterm elections, and Democrats took control of the state’s legislature for the first time in decades.
With a majority in Michigan, Democrats have been quick to slash Right to Work progress.
This recent “victory” for organized labor unions is a bonus for them.
While collective bargaining can be effective on items like pay and working conditions, forcing another “tax” on workers as a condition of employment is not a victory.
After years of losing out to other Midwest and southern states, Michigan passed its current Right to Work law in 2012.
It is a commonsense approach that allows workers to decide if they want to join a union and pay dues.
Workers are free to make their choice, and unions are free to promote their side as well.
But now, Governor Whitmer just hung a “closed for business” sign on the state of Michigan.
Now, the Democrat-controlled state legislature has repealed the state’s Right to Work legislation, meaning Michigan workers will now be forced to pay union dues, whether they like it or not.
Without any accountability on the unions to actually deliver results for workers, these policies will ultimately lead to less jobs and more poverty.
It should be an open and shut case – no free individual living in a free country should be forced to pay union dues as a condition of employment.
And Michigan Republicans believe the Right to Work repeal will cause blowback for Democrats.
Employers will not consider relocating or expanding in Michigan if it will cost more.
Michigan voters likely have not changed their tune in the past decade.
Governor Whitmer and Democrats simply must keep the promises they made to their union overlords who filled their campaign coffers throughout the Midterms.
Repealing Right to Work in Michigan was not even a campaign issue in the last election cycle.
But it’s a win-win situation for Democrats and their allies in organized labor.
Forced union dues from workers simply funnel millions of dollars to the union’s ruling class elitist leadership, who then pump money into Democrat campaigns.
And Democrats keep unions in control with their legislation – wash, rinse, and repeat.
It’s a vicious cycle, but Michigan workers will be the ones that pay.
US Political Daily will keep you updated on any developments to this ongoing story.
