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Wednesday, Republican Senator John Proos of St. Joseph introduced legislation that would allow "Right-to-Work" zones in the State of Michigan.
It would allow counties and other local governments to create the zones in their boundaries.
Employers would be prohibited from requiring workers to be union members to be employed.
Similar measures have been strongly opposed by labor unions.
A similar bill was introduced in the Michigan House last month.
Union retiree opposes legislation:
The debate on whether Michigan should become a Right to Work state is heating up.
The legislation would give workers a choice, whether they want to join a union, or pay union dues.
Critics say taking away union dues would make unions powerless.
But supporters argue unions get in the way of job growth in Michigan.
"Technically, they protect you, you have rights, they stand up for you, and they make you worth your weight as far as dollar signs go," said Mike Waskiewicz, a former union member.
“We can get a cheaper product overseas now, so the need for high paid union jobs is kind of diminished, and its really hurt Michigan over the last couple of years especially," said Vince Sheridan who works as an engineer.
The National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation says 22 states are Right to Work.
Right to Work discussion heating up:
Michigan's newest House Speaker, republican Jase Bolger, says he won't shy away from the discussion of Right to Work.
It's legislation that gives workers the choice of whether they want to join a union or pay union dues.
However, union supporters say Right to Work is an effort to break up all unions.
"They've cost the state jobs. They scared off employers and without employers, no matter what the benefits might be, obviously you can't take advantage of them," says Paul Kersey, Labor Policy Director at Midland's Mackinac Center for Public Policy.
He says unions have kept businesses from locating and expanding in Michigan.
The National Right To Work Legal Defense Foundation says 22-states are Right to Work.
Charles Brunner, state representative from Bay City, worked as a union school teacher.
He says Right to Work is wrong for Michigan and that unions benefit their members.
"I believe unions are a good thing for Michigan. We create good-paying jobs with decent benefits, and that's all a family person wants is to be able to provide for their family."
Right to Work supporters say workers would have the same rights.
They say employees would still be able to organize, bargain, and strike.
They say the only difference is that workers would not be required to pay union dues.
"What happens is individual workers have the right to decide whether or not they're going to pay union dues. That makes union officials accountable to the workers," says Kersey.
However, union supporters say by taking away the financial component, unions would be powerless and unable to fight for workers.
"Wages would decrease, benefits would be non-existent, and we're going to have a lot of people working two jobs just to try to make ends meet," says Brunner.
Governor Rick Snyder says he does not want to take up the discussion.
He says the timing is wrong and that the topic is too divisive.
The Mackinac Center is suing Michigan's Department of Human Services for what the Mackinac Center calls "forced unionism" of home-based childcare providers.
So far, the courts have refused to hear the case.
