Michigan’s House of Representatives and Senate have voted to repeal the state’s right-to-work law after a push from the Michigan Professional Fire Fighters Union (MPFFU) and other labor organizations in the state.
“Right to Work laws undermine workers’ rights, voice, and values,” said General President Edward Kelly. “Our members in Michigan have fought hard for working people, and when we fight, we win. ‘Right to Work for less’ laws have no place in our states.”
When the right-to-work law was proposed over a decade ago, the MPFFU and thousands of other supporters descended on the state capitol to protest. Despite the outcry, the law – which prohibits unions from requiring nonunion employees to pay dues, even if it bargains on their behalf – was still passed in 2012.
“MPFFU President Matthew Sahr and his team have done an incredible job fighting on behalf of all of labor,” said 8th District Vice President Mark Sanders. “Because they have supported the decision-makers who support us and built relationships with both Republican and Democrat state legislators, this law will be repealed.”
MPFFU members are exempt from the law but have continued to fight on behalf of unions.
“We will always stand with labor to fight laws designed to weaken unions,” said Sahr. “The MPFFU has been proud to lend its voice and its resources in favor of the repeal. We stay strong because we stay together.”
The bill now moves to Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s desk. She has said she intends to sign it, which would make Michigan the first state in nearly six decades to repeal a right-to-work law. (Missouri voters overwhelmingly rejected its state’s right-to-work law via a 2018 ballot referendum.)
