Right-to-work law gives Michigan unions new task

December 12, 2012 @ 1:51 pm

Associated Press

Lansing, Mich. (AP) - Now that Michigan has become a right-to-work state, unions in this stronghold of organized labor are confronting a new and urgent problem: convincing members to continue paying for their services instead of taking them for free.

The new right-to-work law approved this week makes it illegal to require nonunion workers to pay fees to unions for negotiating wage contracts and other services.

The law takes effect 90 days after the Legislature adjourns this month, giving unions little time to devise a strategy for keeping members on board and convincing nonmembers to continue their financial support.

Union leaders said it was too soon to predict how the law would affect them. Workers covered by existing labor contracts won't be able to stop paying union fees until those deals lapse.


(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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  • gb1118 wrote...
    I'm sure......
    December 12, 2012 1:14 pm
    That ALL the proud union goons in Michigan will be happy to pay there union dues, even if they aren't forced to anymore. After all they don't want to be seen as "free loaders". Where is the problem? UNION PRIDE!!!!!
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