Michigan workers push back against unions after right-to-work repeal

Matthew B. Gilliam | Staff Attorney (2014-Present) | NRTWLD&EF, Inc

By Sky Industry News

Oct 24, 2024

As Michigan's Right to Work law was repealed earlier this year, workers across the state are taking steps to counteract union bosses' influence. Despite polling data indicating that a majority of Michigan voters, including over 70% from union households, wanted the law to remain, it was repealed in February following a party-line vote.

In response, the National Right to Work Foundation has seen an increase in cases filed by Michigan workers challenging union officials' authority to mandate dues as a condition of employment. This July, employees from Brown Motors in Petoskey and MV Transportation in Ypsilanti voted overwhelmingly to remove forced-dues powers from Teamsters and Amalgamated Transit Union leaders through "deauthorization elections."

The National Labor Relations Board stipulates that at least 30% of a work unit must sign a petition for such an election. In non-Right to Work states like Michigan, these elections are one of the few ways workers can oppose mandatory dues or opt for a "decertification election" to eliminate union representation entirely.

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Other legal actions include cases involving Roger Cornett, a Kroger employee near Detroit, who faced threats of termination unless he signed a United Food and Commercial Workers membership form with political contribution authorizations. Similarly, Richard Howard from General Electric near Grand Rapids was fired after refusing full union membership and dues payment.

Federal charges have also been filed on behalf of Madrina Wells and Lynette Doyle, nurses at Ascension Genesys Hospital near Flint. They allege that Teamsters officials threatened job loss if they did not authorize paycheck deductions for union dues—a practice prohibited by federal law.

William Messenger, Vice President and Legal Director of the National Right to Work Foundation stated: “Despite the fact that an overwhelming majority of Michiganders wanted Right to Work to remain in place, Michigan politicians repealed it on a party-line vote to appease the union boss puppeteers that fund their campaigns.” He added that recent worker victories demonstrate resistance against what he describes as an attack on individual rights.