Headlines

Union members motivated by right-to-work vote

Posted: 2:05 PM Dec 8, 2012
Reporter: Associated Press

LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- For organized labor, it shouldn't seem like much to celebrate.

They suffered a swift, double-barreled attack Thursday in which the Republican-led House and Senate both introduced and passed legislation approving right-to-work laws limiting labor groups' powers.

Yet United Auto Workers President Bob King says the defeats have had the effect of uniting the labor movement. He contends unions have never come together so strongly and he sees opportunity in crisis.

Labor expert Art Schwartz says the right-to-work issue galvanizes union leaders and many members. But their concerns will need to convince their nonunion neighbors for them to gain traction.

Unions say such laws ultimately lower wages and benefits. Supporters argue people should be able to choose whether to pay money to a union.