mlive: Right-to-work proposals gaining steam across Great Lakes region

By Sven Gustafson AnnArbor.com Freelance Journalist

Posted on Sun, Jan 27, 2013 : 3:54 p.m.

The passage of contentious right-to-work legislation in Lansing last month surprised many observers who doubted the law could gain traction in Michigan, a traditional union stronghold, and set off furious protests at the state Capitol.

Now, pressure to enact right-to-work laws is mounting in nearly every Great Lakes state and even neighboring Ontario, business columnist Rick Haglund writes Sunday on MLive.com.

Right-to-work prohibits the practice of requiring workers to pay union dues as a condition of employment.

Supporters say the laws give new hires the freedom to choose whether to join a union and help create jobs. Union supporters say they encourage freeloading and weaken the political power of organized labor.

Ohio Gov. John Kasich and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, both Republicans, have both suggested that right-to-work isn't on their agendas. But as Haglund points out, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder repeatedly said the same thing before abruptly pulling an about-face. Walker also spearheaded a law that stripped collective bargaining rights from most public workers and led to huge protests.

For more, read Haglund's column on MLive.

Tags: right to work,