Michigan Supreme Court takes on key component of Right to Work law

As labor groups around the country continue their fight against Right to Work, one of the nation’s most notorious Right to Work battlegrounds is making headlines again now that Michigan’s Supreme Court  is set to rule on the controversial legislation.

The “Detroit Free Press” reports that Michigan’s high court will rule on whether state employees are covered by the Right to Work legislation passed in late 2012.

“Although we’re happy to see the Michigan Supreme Court intervene when it comes to Right to Work, it’s a little bittersweet that only a small aspect of the law will be reviewed,” said Pat Sink, Ohio’s IUOE Local 18’s business manager. “Knowing how difficult it’s been to get the high court involved only strengthens our resolve to stop Right to Work in Ohio before it ever comes to that.”

Michigan labor unions, most notably the Michigan Coalition of State Employees, argue that the law doesn’t apply to them because the Civil Service Commission has responsibility for their work rules.

“The governor has a history of violating the state constitution and ignoring the state civil service authority, and we’re hoping the court sees that,” said Ray Holman, legislative liaison for United Auto Workers Local 6000, as reported by the “Detroit Free Press.” “The state constitution is clear about that. These things have to go through the state civil service commission.”

Michigan has long been an example of what is at stake in the Right to Work fight, most recently last month when the GOP leaders introduced a bill that would extend Right to Work to attorneys.

“It’s important that we stop Right to Work before it gains any momentum,” said Sink. “Right to Work supporters are on the lookout for any opportunity to further expand their agenda.”

Opponents of recent Right to Work bills, also known as “Workplace Freedom,” contend that the initiative’s true purpose is to kill unions and worker protections, ultimately leading to a weaker middle class.

By stripping workers of their rights and freedoms, business owners would be free to lower worker pay, reduce worker benefits and ignore worker rights.

To keep voters well informed on the dangers of Right to Work, the IUOE Local 18 union-backed advocacy group Keep Ohio’s Heritage has been running ads on cable and network television designed to educate voters on the issue.

SOURCE:  Keep Ohio's Heritage

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