Last week, Michigan became the 24th state to pass a right-to-work law, giving workers there the right to decide whether they want to join a union in the workplace.
The development is significant. Michigan has long been considered a strong union state, primarily because of the auto industry and the United Auto Workers Union.
But a high unemployment rate (9.1%) and Republican gains in the 2010 statehouse elections allowed for what once would have been considered unthinkable in the Wolverine state.
Supporters of the new law, including Gov. Rick Snyder, believe the move makes Michigan a more business-friendly state.
Labor leaders are furious… and panicked. Teamsters President Jimmy Hoffa is promising a “civil war” in Michigan, which is tantamount to planning a counter-attack after Appomattox.
Union membership has declined steadily in this country over the last 50 years. In the 1960′s, nearly one in three American workers belonged to a union; today it’s about one in ten.
Much of the decline is rooted in fundamental changes in industry, such as increased mechanization, and the migration of work where it can be done more cheaply.
Additionally, the knowledge-based economy means a worker’s wages are more directly linked to his skills. For the individual worker, that means knowledge is a better route to higher pay and benefits than belonging to a union and allowing someone else to negotiate on your behalf.
Right-to-work laws are no longer novelties of conservative politicians. Instead they are an increasingly important part of the overall package that states present to try to lure new businesses.
The Wall Street Journal reported this week, “According to the West Michigan Policy Forum, of the 10 states with the highest rate of personal income growth, eight have right-to-work laws. Those numbers are driving net migration from forced union states: Between 2000 and 2010, five million people to right-to-work states from compulsory union states.”
But right-to-work laws are also about a moral right that all workers should have–the right to decide whether to join a union and pay dues to an organization that the worker may or may not agree with.
The continued spread of right-to-work laws does not mean the death of unions. It does, however, mean that union leaders, who have enjoyed the benefits of compulsory membership and the dues that go with that, will have to return to the basics and explain to individual workers the benefits of joining a union.
And they better adjust to the paradigm shift quickly. If right-to-work can pass in Michigan, it can pass anywhere, including West Virginia.
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Comments
CaptainQ
I have to admit, Hoppy, this news shocks me. Next to WV, Michigan is the LAST state I'd believe would EVER pass a Right-To-Work law! Of course, Michigan has a true two party system there statewise while the Mountain State NEVER EVER will. Michigan can see the wisdom in dismantling the ancient "CLOSED SHOP" system while WV's union leaders still have the clout in Charleston to halt the wheels of economic progress (as they have for decades here). Those same leaders will STILL keep WV a union state even after the world ends on Friday (IF the Mayans are correct).
Time to face reality. The Democratic Party 'Machine' that has run WV since the dawn of time LIKES this state just the way it is: bad business climate, few jobs, overpowering union control of the government. Until the people of this state wise up and vote these bozos out, we're in for more of the same. Then again, maybe that's the way our voters like our state too. Oh well, welcome to West Virginia: "The Land That Time Forgot!"
December 18, 2012 at 12:23 am | Report comment
Wowbagger
Captain,
I couldn't agree more right to work would make West Virginia blossom, but it will not happen because the ruling Democrat party is really happy with the status quo.
I do have with one exception to your post. Do not confuse the union controlled educational system employees with the red haired step children of West Virginia, classified and unclassified state workers.
Unlike state employees in some other states, some of whom are over paid and pampered these people generally work hard and get the few remaining scraps from the table of state government after everyone else is satisfied. One can only assume that the ruling Democrat party is happy with this too, yet these people seem to overwhelmingly support them.
Go figure!
December 18, 2012 at 7:27 am | Report comment
stophating
I love how everyone likes to believe that teachers in WV are part of a true union. They are not, they are like all other municipal employees in the state--they beg for every penny, and unlike other employees every additional cent comes with additional work that does not benefit students in any way, shape or form.
December 18, 2012 at 11:46 am | Report comment
Lynn Damron
Wal-Mart's poverty wages force employees to rely on $2.66 billion in government help every year, or about $420,000 per store. In state after state, Wal-Mart employees are the top recipients of Medicaid. As many as 80 percent of workers in Wal-Mart stores use food stamps.
December 19, 2012 at 10:08 am | Report comment
Wall Mart
With Wal-Mart being the states largest employer, there is not much hope for the WV. The purpose of a union is the right to open the books and see just how profitable the company is. When the company is successful it's employees benefit with wage increases and benefits like health care and retirement. When the company is hurting, in those years you don't get much in the form of compensation. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that out. Happy employees want their company to be successful and prosper. Un-happy employees could care less. On any one day, check and see just how many Wal-Mart employees call of work. You will be surprised, ask their co-workers who have to pick up the slack. You can't call anyone in to work because when they see Wal-Mart on their caller id they will not answer the phone. In closing, it should be written in the right to work for less bylaws that if you are in the union and elect not to pay the dues, you also elect not the reep the benefits that the union gains at the bargaining table. Hoppy, You should thank the lord every day you have your job because if it was based on performance, Travis Jones does a much better job. You would be replaced in a heart beat. Keep sucking up to Mr. Raese and being his rubber stamp.
December 20, 2012 at 4:26 am | Report comment
TD
This about politics, unions were the main reason Obama won the election. Union members in Ohio delivered that state. This is a power grab by Republicans, none of whom ran on this policy and take note how it was passed. Introduced Thursday morning and passed Thursday evening without the chance for any debate!!!!!!!!! You think that is good governance?????
A change as significant as this in a state like Michigan surely should be campaigned on and thoroughly debated. Republicans allowed neither so just how good a policy could it be? I can only imagine the outrage of Republicans if Dems pulled a move like this in any state.
Shame Shame!
December 18, 2012 at 8:13 am | Report comment
Wowbagger
TD,
Right to work in Michigan was passed when no one was watching against the will of the majority ... kind of like Obama Care.
December 18, 2012 at 8:37 am | Report comment
Shadow
The Majority spoke when they elected a Republican Legislature, they was no further need for debate. The Michiganders were sick of the UAW controlling their workplace. What you call campaign and debate was held outside the State House, a condition which most rational people call a very rude riot.
December 18, 2012 at 10:06 am | Report comment
Brian York
This whole thing started when the unions tried to pass Proposition 2 this year. This proposition was crafted by the unions and would have amended the state’s constitution to guarantee public and private-sector employees the right to organize and collectively bargain. Labor spent $21.5 million promoting it, and yet it lost by a margin of 58% to 42%. The people spoke. The unions lost.
THAT’S what brought this issue front and center. And THAT’S what prompted Governor Snyder to do an about face on passing right to work legislation after pleading with the unions not to proceed with proposition 2. The only reason it was passed in a lame duck session was because Republicans had to wait to see whether or not Prop 2 would pass on November 6th. It failed miserably.
In essence, the unions were hoisted by their own petard. As for Michigan labor vowing 2014 election year revenge against Snyder and other Republicans, may they have as much success as they did with Proposition 2, and may they spend another $21.5 million of their members dues in the process. It will help encourage members to stop paying dues altogether.
The fact is the majority of Michiganders now believe that joining a union should not be a condition of employment. Only 40% of Michiganders supported the unions in their opposition to RTW legislation. And that number will dwindle even more as people see business and investment return to the state.
Neighboring Indiana became a right-to-work state on Feb. 1st. Since the start of the year, the state has welcomed many new employers and added 43,300 jobs, while Michigan has lost 7,300. One example is Caterpillar, which announced shortly after Indiana's decision that it would move its London, Ontario, plant to Muncie. Indiana. Indiana is not alone. Between 1980 and 2011, total employment in right-to-work states grew by 71%, while employment in non-right-to-work states grew 32%.
Btw, Governor Snyder has lead Michigan out of the deep dark deficits that were commonplace during the Democratic Governor Jennifer Grandholm’s tenure. In fact, he has created a $457 million surplus here in Michigan. God bless him.
December 18, 2012 at 10:17 am | Report comment
John
I wonder how TB felt about Health Care being run through Congress by the Democrats without discussion or debate - something many times more important where our very lives are on the line.
December 18, 2012 at 12:50 pm | Report comment
Shadow
The one thing that is not discussed in most articles on "Right to Work" is that it is not a "No Right to a Union". It is that it is not mandatory to join a Union, nor pay mandatory dues. To me, the idea of closed shops and guilds do not fit the concept of the United States Constitution. I hope WV will be the next State to recognize the inevitable, but I am not holding my breath.
December 18, 2012 at 8:17 am | Report comment
wirerowe
I understand the contention of unions that if they work for the benefits of those that voted against forming a union that those worker are obligated to pay dues for the benefits received. However I think that is a moral obligation and not a legal one. The freedom of members to pay dues or not pay dues trumps this contention. Closed shops and automatic payroll deductions for union dues are the lifeblood of unions. Neither are voluntary and are under attack everywhere in the country.
December 18, 2012 at 8:54 am | Report comment
mntnman
People have such short memories. Unions came about for a reason. Workers united because they had no power otherwise. With slave wages and poor working conditions, workers united to fight back. Those are facts. That is still the case that employees only power is to work together. Don't believe me, ask a Walmart employee. As unions have lost power, real wages have gone DOWN! As unions have lost power, the middle class has shrunk. As unions have lost power, our economy has suffered. In the meantime, corporate profits are at all time highs. Corporate leadership is taking home big bucks, while cutting employees and their earnings.
This is not to say modern union leadership has been very smart in the way it has gone about dealing with employers. It has not. Far too often it has failed its members by addressing the wrong issues, and being intransigent in its position. Nonetheless, we are better with unions than without.
As for right to work being an issue about choice for workers, don't make me laugh. It is not about choice for workers, it is about undermining unions. Whenever I see someone write that its about choice for employees, I have to believe they are either delusional or simply spouting the company line. It is simply disingenuous for those who support right to work to say its about choice -- when its clearly about power. Come on Hoppy, we're smarter than that. So stop with the nonsense.
Corporate America wants control. The way to get it is through electing those who believe as they do and undermining the rights of employees to work together collectively. Simple enough. If they can pull it off, that's the way it is. But just be honest about it. Quit dressing it up as something its not.
December 18, 2012 at 9:33 am | Report comment
stophating
I completely agree with everything you have written... write to work is a direct attack on the middle and working classes of America. Well said
December 18, 2012 at 11:43 am | Report comment
Shadow
As the UAW kept making more demands on the auto industry and those demands were more than the rest of Americans were getting less, these poorer Americans started buying cheaper and better made cars from Japan and Germany. The result, Adolph Obama bailed out the American auto industry to the tune of 40 billion dollars and the American auto industry is still in trouble. The Japanese and Germans are building cars in Right to Work States and doing well. There is no question that unions did a good job of getting a lot of necessary items into law. However, when these problems are codified, where is the need for a union? No one has ever taken away the right to walk away from a condition that you don't like.
December 18, 2012 at 12:21 pm | Report comment
ShinnstonGuy
Very nicely written.
December 18, 2012 at 5:44 pm | Report comment
Uncle Fester
Labor Unions and labor union mentalities kill jobs. Just ask the 18,500 workers who used to make Twinkies and Wonder Bread. That labor union thought that it would be better to lose 18,500 jobs than to re-negotiate a contract. Same thing almost happened in Ravenswood to about 600 aluminum workers. And the "legal extortion" that labor unions get away with must end. Right-to-work hopefully comes to WV soon.
December 18, 2012 at 10:02 am | Report comment
GregG
....and while the Powers that be of Hostess was demanding pay and benefit cuts from their employees they were giving themselves millions of dollars in raises and bonuses. Oh but we don't want to mention that side of the story do we?! Big Business is God, they do no wrong! Big Business wrote the book on "legal extortion" and people still want to bow down and kiss the ground they walk on. And we wonder why this country is going to hell.
December 18, 2012 at 11:23 am | Report comment
Uncle Fester
Typical leftist, socialist, liberal progressive propoganda. Labor union contract did not allow for the delivery of the Hostess cakes and Wonder Bread on the same truck. Cakes could not be loaded and unloaded by bread personnel and vice versa. Idiotacy at its best-labor unions. Businesses are in business to make a profit. Not to kowtow to the labor unions. Big Business bad. Big Anything (but Government) bad.
Big Government good. Big Labor good. Big welfare good. Big Foodstamps very good. Right-to-work coming to WV soon.
December 18, 2012 at 1:34 pm | Report comment
Lynn
Right to Work Laws is nothing more than a ploy by Republicans to destroy unions. Just come out and say it, instead of hiding behind all the bull.
Unions are non-profit SERVICE Organizations. Members pay dues for the Unions services.
Union Members are not forced to pay for the Unions political views, etc., IT IS VOLUNTARY AND YOU HAVE TO SIGN A FORM GIVING PERMISSION FOR THE PAC TO BE TAKEN OUT OF YOUR CHECK!!!
NO ONE IN A UNION IS FORCED TO PAY TO THE POLITICAL PAC!!!
The people who don't pay their dues are the very people who come crying and whinning when they are fired or have a pay shortage.
AND BY LAW - WE STILL HAVE TO REPRESENT TO "NO BILLS"!!!!! WHY SHOULD THEY NOT PAY THEIR DUES IF THEY WANT REPRESENTATION.
You state: "Union membership has declined steadily in this country over the last 50 years. In the 1960′s, nearly one in three American workers belonged to a union; today it’s about one in ten."
You are right, but fail to mention - THE MIDDLE CLASS HAS DECLINED TOO, WAGES ARE STAGNIC, BENEFITS HAVE BEEN LOST - ALONG WITH THE DECLINE OF UNION MEMBERSHIP.
You state: "Much of the decline is rooted in fundamental changes in industry, such as increased mechanization, and the migration of work where it can be done more cheaply."
Oh yes, where their are no safety laws, and people are treated like animals - a Republican's dream
The fact is states with right to work laws on average make approx. $6,000.00 less, and less benefits.
RIGHT TO WORK FOR LESS!!!!
December 18, 2012 at 10:30 am | Report comment
TD
wowbagger,
I'm not a supporter of Obamacare as a solution to our health care problem(it's the brainchild of The Heritage Foundation and they've never had a good idea). However, to say it was passed while nobody was watching, are you kidding me??? Do you not remember the summer of craziness the right wing put on? Big buses going all over with blood on them? There was debate, it was passed, everybody was watching.
I think the whole country should drop their health insurance tomorrow and not pay another penny until the industry can get itself in line with the rest of the world. We need a market correction in healthcare.
What happened in Michigan doesn't relate at all.
December 18, 2012 at 11:02 am | Report comment
CaptainQ
Yes TD, ObamaCare DID pass and do you remember the DETAILS of HOW it passed? How soon we forget the behind the scenes 'wheeling and dealing', the Cornhusker Kickback, the Louisiana Purchase, etc. All of that same 'closed doors' form of democracy is ok with you when it's the DEMOCRATS doing it, but then you and others in your camp cry FOUL when similiar tatics are used at the statehouse in Michigan. Gee, is it because this one was engineered by the GOP?
To quote that famous American philosopher Gomer Pyle: "Surprise! Surprise! Surprise!"
BOTH parties use 'bait and switch' to get things done, whether it's in Washington, Lansing or Charleston. People only scream about those procedure when THEIR side loses.
December 18, 2012 at 11:37 am | Report comment
Uncle Fester
Shazam !! Gollllll-ly, Sgt. Carter.
December 21, 2012 at 2:16 pm | Report comment
Lynn
If the citizens of Michigan are sooo infavor of "Right to Work" FOR Less; why did Republicans try to protect the law from going before the voters by attaching an appropriation to it; spending bills can’t be overturned by legislative referendum in Michigan???????
The Republican plan to make the right-to-work law referendum-proof, attempting to avoid the embarrassing rebuke of anti-union legislation Republicans suffered in Ohio after Democrats and labor defeated SB 5 at the ballot box.
December 18, 2012 at 11:13 am | Report comment
Scott Wegmann
Hoppy, Kenny Perdue did not tell you the whole story. Workers in a closed shop do not have to join the union.... But they do have to pay dues.
December 18, 2012 at 12:07 pm | Report comment
EB
In response to your discussion about right-to-work on Talkline on December 18, 2012 and to this commentary.
In WV, it is the collective bargaining agreement that determines whether individuals who are employed in a covered “bargaining unit” have to join the union. A covered bargaining unit is the job categories that the union has successfully unionized. (e.g., all janitors, all housekeepers, etc.) One of the terms and conditions of the collective bargaining agreement that unions have successfully negotiated is to be the “exclusive bargaining representative” of all employees in the covered bargaining unit and other terms which ensure all employees pay dues. It is important to remember that these are negotiable collective bargaining agreement terms that the unions have sought.
Federal law states that once any union is the exclusive bargaining representative, it must fairly and equally represent all employees in a bargaining unit job.
In most all collective bargaining agreements in WV, unions have negotiated to be the exclusive bargaining representative for any individual who works in a covered bargaining unit. Possibly the AT&T collective bargaining agreement is one that doesn’t have this term.
In non-right-to work states like WV, if a union is the exclusive bargaining representative of all workers in covered bargaining unit jobs, then all employees in those jobs are required to join the union and pay union dues. To union employees, paying union dues means having representation at negotiations on the collective bargaining agreement and having individual representation at grievances and disciplinary matters. These are small cost items for any union and don’t come close to matching the total amount of dues paid by a bargaining unit. The vast majority of union member dues go to political campaigns and lobbying efforts. Union members may be politically opposed to the political ideals that they are forced to fund through their dues.
In right-to-work states, state law allows individuals to opt out of union membership and paying union dues. Less dues to the union means less money to its political efforts.
The next argument you may hear is that right-to-work states allow “freeriding” and, thus, are only a political mechanism to financially weaken the unions. The argument goes something like this.
Unions argue the federal law requires them to represent all employees in a bargaining unit that includes individuals who have opted out of union membership and aren’t required to pay union dues. This, they argue, allows nonunion workers to freeride off of union contracts—enjoying the benefits of membership without paying the dues. This isn't entirely true.
Federal law only requires unions to represent nonmembers if they are the exclusive bargaining agent of the bargaining unit. But unions can chose to negotiate that term out of any collective bargaining agreement.
Being the exclusive bargaining representative does require unions to negotiate fairly and represent all bargaining unit workers, union and nonunion alike-and thus allows for free-riding. In states that have been right-to-work and in bargaining units where the unions refuse to relinquish its exclusive bargaining representative status, it is estimated that about 10% of the bargaining unit workers that freeride. And even when the law allows union members to opt out of paying dues, such as when religious beliefs prevent it, there is a mechanism in the law for the union to charge the individual a fair cost of any individual representation as in an arbitration or grievance. Most unions won’t do this because it highlights how little money of dues goes to its actual representation efforts. So, really, free-riding isn't a legal issue-just a PR one.
When all is said and done, I believe the United States was founded on the basic tenants of individual free choice and freedom of speech. These ideals are paramount in our history and current national conscience. Those ideals are firmly imbedded in the right to work laws. The fact that a side effect of upholding those principles is that union's don't get as much money as they are used to getting is acceptable to me--and many others.
I highly encourage everyone to take at look at the public documents filed by the unions to see how much money they bring in each year, how much they pay their employees, and how much goes to influencing legislation and getting their candidates elected. Over the last 10 years I've looked as these filings on an annual basis. The first year I was shocked. I have seen union representatives that had compensation and benefits packages that exceeded those of some of the primary care doctors at the hospital where I worked.
The laws in place now, many due to union influence, protect workers in myriad different way which may also be partially responsible for the decline in union membership in our nation.
We should all remember, however, that the work of unions was historically necessary and they are responsible for the 40 hour work week, the "weekend", workers compensation, overtime pay, etc, etc, etc. And I do believe they are still necessary to keep the political balance, prevent the erosion of many of the laws in place to protect workers and to negotiate terms and conditions of employment on behalf of those who want it.
I just don't believe the right-to-work legislation in any of the 24 states (including now Michigan) is going to cause the unions to disappear or be less effective. Will they get less money? Sure. Will there be free-riding? Yes, as long as it insists on being the exclusive bargaining representative. Will the unions just have to continue to tighten their belts like the rest of us and live within their budgets? Clearly. So, why not allow right-to-work here as well? I believe it is only a matter of time that the issue is being debated here.
December 18, 2012 at 1:11 pm | Report comment
mntnman
"I sold my soul to the company store."
December 18, 2012 at 4:05 pm | Report comment
Lynn Damron
If the citizens of Michigan are so in favor of "Right to Work" FOR Less; why did Republicans try to protect the law from going before the voters by attaching an appropriation to it; spending bills can’t be overturned by legislative referendum in Michigan? The Republican plan to make the right-to-work law referendum-proof, attempting to avoid the embarrassing rebuke of anti-union legislation Republicans suffered in Ohio after Democrats and labor defeated SB 5 at the ballot box.
The Right to Work Law is nothing more than the Republicans/Corporations attempt to destroy unions in order for Plutocrats to finish off the middle class and turn America into a Banana Republic. Just come out and say it, instead of hiding behind all the bull.
Unions are nonprofit service Organizations, and members pay dues for the Unions services.
Union Members are not forced to pay into the Unions political PAC. It is voluntary. Members are required to fill out and sign a PAC form giving permission for PAC money to be taken out of their check! No Union member is forced to pay into a political PAC; it is all voluntary.
The workers who do not pay union dues are usually the very people who come crying and whining when they are fired or have a pay shortage, then all of a sudden they want to join the union.
By Law – Unions still have to represent the free loaders/”no bills” even though they do no pay dues.
"Union membership has declined steadily in this country over the last 50 years. In the 1960's, nearly one in three American workers belonged to a union; today it's about one in ten."
You are right, but fail to mention the middle class has declined as well; wages are stagnant, benefits have been lost, along with the decline of union membership, and CEO pay is 420 times more than their workers.
"Much of the decline is rooted in fundamental changes in industry, such as increased mechanization, and the migration of work where it can be done more cheaply." Oh yes, a Republicans Dream a place where there are no safety laws, workers make 99 cents per hour and people are treated like animals.
The facts are states with right to work laws on average make approx. $6,000.00 less, with fewer or no benefits. RIGHT TO WORK FOR LESS!
December 19, 2012 at 9:49 am | Report comment
Lynn Damron
For all the right to work supporters you need to read "Walmart: America's real 'Welfare Queen'" @ http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/10/10/1141724/-Walmart-fuels-inequality-epidemic-taking-advantage-of-our-safety-net
Wal-Mart workers’ reliance on public assistance due to substandard wages and benefits has become a form of indirect public subsidy to the company. In effect, Wal-Mart is shifting part of its labor costs onto the public.
December 19, 2012 at 11:03 am | Report comment