Right to Work on Hold For Now

After meeting behind closed doors with Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville (R-Monroe) and House Speaker Jase Bolger (R-Marshall), Governor Rick Snyder announced Thursday that there would be no “Right to Work” legislation that day.

Meanwhile, the United Auto Workers (UAW) and other opponents reportedly made preparations for a significant Capitol presence if legislation began moving that enables workers to opt-out of union membership. The State Police made similar preparations with a significant presence of patrol cars, a command station, and troopers on foot in and out of the Capitol.

The Governor had held strong to his position that Right to Work legislation is not on his agenda; however, the significant defeat of Proposal 2 in November, seeking to protect the right to collective bargaining in the Constitution, has led the Republican-led House and Senate to increase pressure for passing Right to Work.

At issue is not just whether to make Michigan the nation’s 24^th state with Right to Work protection, but the substance and reach of the proposed measure. Sources close to the issue report that Senator Richardville’s priority is only public unions; however, that raises constitutional questions.

The Legislature is currently scheduled to be in session next week (December 4 – 6) and the following week (December 11 – 13) with leadership previously pointing to the 14^th as the very last session day; however, tentative session days have now been scheduled for December 18^th – 20^th.

The topic is next scheduled to be discussed at the normal Tuesday meetings between the Governor and the Legislative leadership.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, November 30, 2012 11:30 AM
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