Preserving Right-to-Work in Michigan
Just over 10 years ago we came together to protect the rights, interests, and integrity of all Michigan workers, unions, and our state’s economy by advocating to make Michigan a right-to-work state. Since then, we’ve made significant progress for our state’s economy. As a result, wages have increased and Michigan has created significantly more jobs. Now we need to come together again to maintain that protection and make sure our lawmakers don’t repeal the progress we’ve made for our state as a whole.
In the News
The Detroit News: Legislature ignoring will of people with right to work
"The simple truth is only 29% of Michigan residents support repealing right to work, a recent Glengariff Group poll found. A total of 88% of state voters believe workers should have the right to choose whether to join a labor union, according to a SurveyUSA poll."
"I can attest that right to work is one of the biggest factors when a company is deciding whether to expand or locate somewhere. It’s often the gateway – the opening that businesses look for first, before considering other factors like taxes, regulation, and cost of living. If the gateway is closed, then companies are much less likely to keep considering the state."
The Detroit News: Repealing right to work means ‘closed for business’
"What will happen if right to work is repealed? Two things. First, many Michigan workers will lose their basic right of freedom to choose. Instead of forcing a hard-working person into a union, shouldn’t a union be required to show what value it has and let the person make an informed decision? Second, our state is at high risk of becoming screened out of opportunities to compete for jobs. We have had the 'Open for Business' sign out since 2012. The repeal is likely to be viewed by the larger business world as Michigan turning the sign back to 'Closed.' I encourage Michigan’s citizens to speak up and support keeping right to work."
The Detroit News: Michigan can’t risk losing successful right-to-work legislation
"Ten years ago, we came together to protect the rights, interests and integrity of all workers. And now, we need to stay together to maintain that protection and make sure our lawmakers don’t repeal the progress we’ve made for our state."
DBusiness: Small businesses don’t support repealing
“Michigan’s small businesses are still facing challenges as they continue to invest and grow in Michigan. Small businesses made it clear that they do not support returning to policies that served Michigan so poorly in the past.”
National speakers presenting at our 2022 biennial conference shared their thoughts on right-to-work:
“Right-to-work is, on some level, an on-off switch the policy members can control directly.”
“I want you to try to change the laws and codes of Michigan, and if I were to start, normally, I would say the very first thing you have to do is become a right-to-work state. But you've done that, congratulations. You cannot fix your schools unless you're in a right-to-work state.”
“How do you tell CEOs and other corporate decision makers that Michigan has changed? A lot of the policy reforms that were talked about earlier have been implemented. This is not the Michigan of the 70s and 80s…this is a very different state than it was a few years ago, a lot of these fundamental changes have been made.”
Right-to-work Taught Us To Stand Up For What We Believe In and Make Our Voices Heard
Michigan’s former Right-to-work law has always been about jobs. And at Southwest Michigan First, we believe the greatest force for change is a job. With
Despite Challenges, Michigan Can Work to Remove New ‘Closed for Business’ Sign
Michigan employers continue to face a severe labor shortage, slowing down business growth. Unfortunately, these challenges are compounded by a declining state population and the
Business Coalition Advocates Against Right-to-work Repeal Took Courageous Stand
The West Michigan Policy Forum today thanked state business coalition members for taking a brave stand against repealing the state’s landmark right-to-work law. WMPF Policy
I know firsthand how much right to work matters. Don’t repeal it, Michigan.
In Michigan right to work has been a cornerstone of a plan to make it a top 10 state for business. A repeal of the
Legislature Ignoring the Will of the People by Attempting to Repeal State’s Right-to-work Law
Although right-to-work continues to be strongly supported by a majority of Michigan residents, the state House recently approved bills to repeal our state’s RTW law.
How Ford’s New Marshall Plant Impacts Michigan’s Run at a Top 10 State
Ford Motor Company recently made headlines for selecting Marshall, Michigan, in the southwestern part of our state for a $2.5B electric-vehicle battery plant. We applaud
Contact your state legislator today and tell them to stand with Michigan’s current and future workers.
