5 things to know about Mich. right-to-work bills (AP wept)

Pioneer Press ^ | 12-12-12 | JEFF KAROUB

[TurboZamboni]

THE NAME IS MISLEADING

It isn't about a right to work but rather a right for workers to choose whether they want to join a union or pay fees that amount to union dues. The legislation prohibits what are known as "closed shops," where workers have no choice but to join a union or pay those fees.

IT MOVED SWIFTLY

The GOP majority used its superior numbers and backing from Gov. Rick Snyder to ramrod legislation through the House and Senate last week. They brushed aside denunciations and challenges by helpless Democrats and cries of outrage from thousands of union activists who swarmed the state Capitol hallways and grounds. Snyder signed the bills into law Tuesday, hours after the final House votes.

BUT DIDN'T OVER EASILY

Supporters, including Republican leaders in the Legislature and the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, insist it's about freedom of association for workers and a better business climate...

[TurboZamboni]

What union do newpaper writers belong to?

[Lazamataz]

BUT DIDN'T OVER EASILY

The level of abject illiteracy in journalism is striking.

It didn't 'over easily'?

Did we suddenly switch topics to discuss breakfast egg preparation?

[Trapped Behind Enemy Lines]

Some people around here say the GOP is useless, it’s dead, it should go away. But the RTW law in Michigan and other such laws in Indiana, Ohio, and Wisconsin would not have been possible without GOP governors and state legislatures. I think we should work on rebuilding the GOP, not destroying it and tearing it down.

[Tula Git]

"They brushed aside denunciations and challenges by helpless Democrats and cries of outrage from thousands of union activists who swarmed the state Capitol hallways and grounds."

They didn't even have time to flee to a bordering state.

[yldstrk]

According to Witness by Whitaker Chambers, writers belong to to the Commie laden Writers’ Guild.

[muir_redwoods]

union educated “jernalisst”

[eyeamok]

THE NAME IS MISLEADING

I agree it is a PRO CHOICE Bill. Which is exactly how it should of been named and packaged.

[jersey117]

Makes you wonder why congress isn’t taking note of what the successful governors are doing. They truly are stupid up there on capital hill.

[wiggen]

the left out the word ‘Bend’?

[patriotspride]

GOP governors and state legislatures

---

Operative words..... People see, know to a better degree, what they do.

Washington is smoke and mirrors, and not well understood by the voters..

[COBOL2Java]

He was typing the story on his Blackberry while yelling at the waitress.

[Graewoulf]

” - - - - a right for workers to choose whether they want to join a union or pay fees that amount to union dues. - - - “

Our Founding Fathers are smiling!

[Huskrrrr]

Where was the AP when “The Affordable Health-care Act” was being pushed through Congress.

[PGalt]

HOORAY Rick Snyder and the Republican Michigan legislature! DEFUND totalitarian/socialist collectives that FORCE you to do anything. Now, about Obamacare...have you read the 10th amendment to the U.S. Constitution? Stand up to these punks, thugs, internationalists, progressives, criminals. You’re already GRRRREAT in the state. There’s no reason why you can’t be conservative, Republican Presidential material. Turn this national, socialist-induced fiasco around.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Scribblers

[Lazamataz]

BUT DIDN'T OVER EASILY

The level of abject illiteracy in journalism is striking. Since journalists are mostly liberal and communist, and since Saul Alinsky teaches to make others live to their own standards, and also that mockery is the most effective weapon a man can wield, I have created the....

The Official "Dem Jernalists Shore Need Skoolin'..." Ping List.

Write a request to join with misspellings and improper grammar, and I shall add you or delete you, corresponding to your expressed desire.

[Banjoguy]

In Florida, the wording is:

"The right of persons to work shall not be denied or abridged on account of membership or non-membership in any labor union or labor organization. The right of employees, by and through a labor organization, to bargain collectively shall not be denied or abridged. Public employees shall not have the right to strike."

[factoryrat]

By eliminating the “closed shop” monopoly foisted on employers, companies have more flexibility in recuiting talent that would otherwise not be allowed by a union. A lot of otherwise qualifed people have been turned down by a potential employer, simply because the didn’t belong to a union.

[Yaelle]

It was sunny side down for the unions.

[cripplecreek]

I wouldn't get too excited about the Michigan republicans just yet. Many of them who voted for RTW also voted to force home care workers into a union they didn't want. (Which BTW was a republican sponsored bill) Guys like Roger Kahn and Randy Richardville are term limited and on their way out the door and can afford to anger the unions now.

Look back a couple of years and you'll find Roger Kahn hanging with some of his friends on the day they gave him $5000.



On Aug. 5, 2009, Sen. Jason Allen, R-Traverse City, introduced Senate Bill 731, which would give statutory cover to a scheme transferring approximately $6.6 million in taxpayer money annually to the SEIU government employee union, one of the parents of ACORN. This is accomplished by creating a shell government "employer" for some 42,000 individuals who are actually hired by elderly or disabled Medicaid recipients to provide personal care services in their homes. A Mackinac Center lawsuit is pending regarding a similar arrangement imposed on home day care providers.

GOP Senators, SEIU Taxpayer Giveaways, Campaign Cash and More, OH MY!

Wendy Day of Common Sense in Government has reported on Facebook that Allen was the recipient of a $2,000 campaign contribution from the SEIU on June 22, six weeks before SB 731 was introduced. In another post she hints that introducing and passing the bill was part of a quid-pro-quo between Senate Republicans and the SEIU for union support of former state representative Mike Nofs in a November 2009 special election, which state Republican Party Chair Ron Weiser had characterized as among the party's top priorities. Day observes that the SEIU endorsed Nofs on August 22nd, two weeks after SB 731 was introduced, and sent four full-time workers to help on his campaign.

The predecessor organization of Common Sense in Government had organized volunteers for a door-to-door "lit drop" focused on Nofs in July, when he faced a challenger in the Republican primary election. They distributed flyers describing his voting record on fiscal issues, in particular his votes against measures opposed by the MEA teachers union.

Senate Bill 731 was co-sponsored by these Republican Senators:

Roger Kahn, Bruce Patterson, Valde Garcia, Tony Stamas, Judson Gilbert, Mark Jansen, Randy Richardville, and Patricia Birkholz.

Yes RTW is the best thing to happen to Michigan in a long time but we shouldn't lose sight of the fact that these guys are politicians who spend a lot of time checking to see which way the wind is blowing and dreaming of aspirations of higher office.