Frosty Day In Lansing After Right-To-Work Passes
LANSING (WWJ) - One day after historic right-to-work legislation passed in Michigan, and was then signed by the governor, the mood in Lansing remained tense between lawmakers.
That's according to WWJ Lansing Bureau Chief Tim Skubick who said it's unclear as of now if the two sides will be able to move forward on other pieces of legislation.
"I talked to one Democrat who said, you know, some of my friends on the other side of the aisle, we're not talking to one another right now in order to preserve our friendship," said Skubick. "And she told me this kind of frosty relationship between the R's and D's could continue til 2014."
On Tuesday, an estimated 12,000 people gathered at the Capitol to protest as the Michigan House of Representatives finalized and passed the bills.
In general, right-to-work laws prohibit requiring unions from collecting fees from non-union employees, which opponents say drains unions of money and weakens their ability to bargain for good wages and benefits. (Right to Work: Just the Facts).
Wednesday, right-to-work opponents demonstrated inside the Michigan Plaza building and at various locations across the state.
Metro Detroit AFLCIO President Chris Michalakis told WWJ's Florence Walton they are not going away.
"Governor Snyder may not care if we protest today or yesterday, but he's gonna care come Election Day when he's up for election in two years, You know, voters are gonna remember what he did to Michigan," said Michalakis.
"Right-to-work is not only damaging to union members, it damages everybody. It's a real challenge to our culture in Michigan," Michalakis said.
After signing the right to work legislation on Tuesday, Gov. Rick Snyder said it would bring jobs to Michigan and demonstrations would not affect his decision to support what says is a pro-worker policy.
Michigan is the nation's 24th right-to-work state.
