In all likelihood, Michigan will be a right to work state by this time next week.
There have been rumors of such a development for about a week … and near certainty the GOP-dominated legislature would pass laws gutting unions (particularly teachers’ unions, along with public education) in the lame duck session. But reports are right-to-work will come to the floor tomorrow. It’ll pass the House easily. It will probably pass the Senate (Dems were just beginning to pressure State Senators not to pass it; this quick trigger will short-circuit that effort). And while Rick Snyder has equivocated on whether or not he will veto it, it seems quite likely he will sign it.
All this comes on the heels of unions’ failed effort to enshrine collective bargaining in the state constitution, which moneyed interests defeated with ads asserting, simply, it would be dangerous, and for which unions failed (IMHO) to generate support outside of union households.
And while some observers suggest this will set off another effort to overturn the right to work legislation, for the short term, at least, it will add Michigan to those states that are racing to the bottom, offering under-educated workers for low wages rather than better educated, more stable workers.
Happy Holidays, everyone!