Why "Right to Work" laws are the right thing

For decades labor unions were a sign of a strong middle class in Michigan when the auto industry flourished and doing business in the Midwest was attractive to many auto companies. Today, the manufacturing environment has changed dramatically and it is time to update our regulatory environment when it comes to regulation. Michigan Governor Rich Snyder is expected to sign a "Right to Work" law that will prohibit unions from requiring membership as a condition of employment. It significantly reduces the power of a labor union but allows workers to make the choice for themselves whether or not to join a labor union. Other states that have enacted right to work laws have seen increases in manufacturing jobs because their state regulatory enviornment is much more friendly to job creators. States such as Indiana, Alabama, and Texas who have enacted right to work laws have seen over 5 million people move to their states and an increase of GDP per capita income by 23%. In s state like Michigan where unemployment is higher than the national average these laws will be very beneficial in bringing manufacturing and high tech jobs back to a state that once prided itself on being the manufacturing capital of America. Michigan and especially Detroit have become a national embarrassment as union control and corruption have gone unchecked and out of control. This is an issue of whether or not a worker should be required to pay union dues in exchange for employment. Many will choose to continue to pay their union dues as normal and they will not be affected, however, to those who do not feel that their voices are represented well by their union than to passing of Michigan's Right to work law will be an historic victory for the freedom of workers in America.



                

Cited: http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/conscience-conservative/2012/dec/11/michigan-takes-right-step-becoming-right-work-stat/