There is a movement in Michigan to weaken labor unions by making Michigan a Right-to-Work state like many states in the South.  Under current law, every employee in a collective bargaining unit receives the benefits of the contract, things like wages, benefits and due process.  Employees cannot be required to join the union, but if an agency fee provision is negotiated into the contract, the employee who chooses not to join the union must pay an agency fee that covers the cost of contract negotiations and enforcement.  Under Right-to-Work, employees would not have to join the union OR pay the agency fee - they could become freeloaders, getting the benefits but not having to contribute to the cost.  The effect would be labor unions withering away, affecting our ability to fight for good wages, benefits and due process protections.  Tell your legislators we don't need Right-to-Work in Michigan.

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I am writing today to oppose H.B. 4454-4455 and S.B. 607-608. We do not need to turn Michigan into a Right-to-Work state.

Michigan doesn't need Right-to-Work. No one in the public sector is compelled to join a union, but because they receive the benefits of a union contract - wages, benefits and due process - they may be required to pay an Agency Fee to cover those costs. They get the benefit, they should pay the cost. It is only fair.

Unions have been, and continue to be important to Michigan. They are not the cause of the current economic situation or manufacturing crisis. Good wages and benefits help our economy, not hurt.

Unions like mine, AFT Michigan, spend time and resources researching best practices in education and providing professional development so that we can be a partner in improving education for all students.

We don't need Right-to-Work in Michigan.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
November 13, 2007