Calling the fast-moving ‘right-to-work’ legislation moving through the Michigan Legislature a “Michigan cliff,” the Democratic members of Congress said they urged Gov. Snyder to put a stop to it.
The Democratic Michigan delegation, including Sen. Carl Levin, and Reps. John Dingell, John Conyers, and Sander Levin, and other members of the delegation attended the meeting with Snyder.
They held an hour-long private meeting with him about the ‘right-to-work’ legislation this morning. {…}
Michigan Sen. Carl Levin said the delegation was blunt with the Governor in their urging to veto the bill.
“We’re not sure he understood how these unions worked,” said Levin during a press call with reporters after the meeting.
Gov. Snyder has said the ‘right-to-work’ issue is about workers freedom to choose.
“I believe most Michiganders and most Americans believe [that workers should] have the ability to choose whether they want to belong to an organization or not.” Snyder said during an interview with Paul Egan of the Detroit Free Press last week.
“That is absolutely false,” said Rep. Sander Levin (D) on the call with reporters. “There is no requirement that people join a union.”
Union membership is not a requirement in a ‘union shop.’ But all workers do have to support the union financially.
Sen. Levin said he pointed out to Gov. Snyder that unions are required to provide equal benefits to everyone in the workplace, even though not all employees are required to join the union.
“The governor said it incorrectly. And today, I don’t think he understands what it is really about,” said Rep. Levin.