12,000 Protest Having The Ability To Choose Between Union Or Non Union In Michigan

The Republican-majority Michigan legislature gave final approval on Tuesday to "right-to-work" restrictions on public sector unions in a state considered a stronghold of organized labor, as protesters chanted in the gallery and thousands rallied outside.

The House passed the measure making membership and payment of union dues voluntary for public sector employees such as teachers by a 58-51 vote. The Senate approved the same bill last week so it will now go to Republican Governor Rick Snyder, who has promised to sign it into law.

The public sector law was the first of two expected to be approved by the House on Tuesday. The other covers private sector workers, including the large auto industry in Michigan.

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Agent009 - 12/11/2012 2:02:58 PM

+7 Boost

I do find it ironic that many of the SAME teachers that delayed school openings in Detroit due to a teachers strike, took the day off and forced closure of their schools again to show support.

PUGPROUD - 12/11/2012 4:39:14 PM

+6 Boost

The teachers and their union care more about themselves than the kids. Shame on them !

manthony1948 - 12/12/2012 3:42:17 AM

-2 Boost

Thanks for getting me pissed off again, 009. I was never much of a union guy until I realized that, in our political system, it is only the unions who stand up for the average workers in our society. If the unions were not able to advocate for regular people, there would be no one to act as a counter-balance to the immense influence of mega-billionaires like the Koch brothers or Sheldon Adelson? The right-wing nutballs in the Republican Party have somehow convinced too many people that the wealthy corporations will look out for our best interests and, as we all know, that is just a complete load of crap. This is a political move intended to destroy the unions, who are the biggest donors to the Democratic Party. The end of the labor unions simply means the end of a vibrant middle class and the continued ascendancy of the ultra-wealthy. Once the unions and the Democrats are out of the way, the Republican aristocracy will have its way with their chosen government representatives, getting them to pass legislation that is even more favorable to their bank accounts. Look at the facts, people. Over the last 30 years, with the decline in union membership, income for the wealthiest 2% has skyrocketed and middle class income has flat-lined. Greed will be the death of this country. Ok, let's get back to talking about cars.