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Mackinac Center Director of Labor Policy Vincent Vernuccio and Labor Notes Director Mark Brenner on how Michigan’s right-to-work bills will impact t...
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-- needed them.
In -- cracking the bedrock of labor you.
Michigan even -- fiery protests rocked the state capital all day today they were out there it's House of Representatives has passed to.
Right to work bills making it possible for workers to volunteer.
To belong to unions have page views Michigan governor Rick Snyder could sign the bills into lot any minute now.
So he's just the Hanford unions joining me now is being -- new geo director of labor policy.
-- -- -- Centre who has been at the protest site all day we also mark Brenner director of labor notes welcome to both of you.
-- what do you make of what what went on today.
Analyst at thanks for having me it is absolutely historic you're talking about the stay with the fifth highest percent union members in the country.
The birthplace of the UAW.
And -- what has been long considered a yet union stronghold.
Giving workers the freedom to choose that -- and -- here is whether or not to pay union and still keep their jobs.
This will have a national ramifications and this is a very historic day but okay Michigan and for the country market there any positive way to -- -- -- the labor side.
Of course not this is a pure union busting move by a lame duck legislature it is absolutely.
The puppets marching to the beat of the puppeteers the -- Brothers.
-- Voss from Amway and other billionaires who want to basically weekend working class institutions like unions this is what this is so -- Did they succeed I mean is there any way to battle back.
Well of course you know we always have the ability to organize on the job and that's what we're gonna keep doing.
I'm back you know I love -- that -- talk about freedom except of course is not talk about freedom of association which is getting violated every half hour.
In this country when somebody's been fired for organizing announcing Mac -- -- fighting.
On that you know basically there pushing.
Corporate agenda and this is just one piece of it now we're seeing it in.
States like Indiana -- in in Wisconsin and I think it's they're gonna try to spread it but we're gonna keep fighting.
Maniac I mean it is one piece but it's a huge piece this is Michigan.
-- seventeen point 5% of the workforce is unionized.
If workers are -- forced to pay dues.
A lot of -- I mean whether they believe in unions are not are not gonna do it because they just simply can't afford it so.
You know -- it's it this is a big financial bloody unions no matter how you no matter how you slice it.
I think is going back to the previous point on this is actually a very bright spot for unions around the country and here in Michigan.
It means that now unions will be held accountable and -- have to prove the work.
They'll have to represent their workers better -- have to put workers' interest in front of the special interest and of those what if those unions are doing a good job and they're putting workers first.
Then the workers will pay them it's not what it's like every other nonprofit or trade association or group in the country.
The NRA for instance.
They represent all gun owners and Second Amendment believers but not everyone has to pay Indiana right.
Okay -- is still in existence as they do a good job Michael what I found out I mean does this mean that unions have to fight for their workers improve there weren't.
I think unions are fighting for their workers every day I think that there's plenty more that we can be doing I certainly have been a vocal critic my entire career in labor moment.
Five people who lay back and don't do enough for people who are you know making too much.
In terms of officers' salaries are you know cutting deals -- bosses I certainly believe that we need to do better but I don't think this is in any -- something to celebrate this is just further tilting the playing field.
In favor of corporations taking rights away from working people.
And I and I disagree with -- I mean yeah of course the NRA you can -- are not joining -- your -- -- telling you in no uncertain terms.
That you know he'd prefer that you not in your job might be in jeopardy if you do which.
We're starting -- -- around how do you know what that that's what's going to go on here.
I mean unions are already well established I -- -- in many -- -- million dollar and Morgan chancellor in the hotels because.
-- -- -- working in the shops I mean there are already proving -- -- so maybe -- you know according to what you're saying they might not have a problem as a result of this legislation -- union membership will not drop -- they're so valuable.
Well I think that there are incredibly valuable I think there's I didn't notice that it will let mark answer -- on the back to be coming -- once -- got.
I think that there you know if there were eleven level playing field if we weren't in an environment like a one sided class war against workers.
I absolutely agree -- you people would join and they -- -- -- it would be a problem that we're you know we're in an on declared class war here it's now become official it's been declared now allowed by the politicians -- -- who served the billionaires in the -- agenda and that's kind of what we're seeing here.
Mark -- -- go ahead and respond.
OK well let's just talk about what -- what what -- is one more time.
Right to work simply gives workers the freedom to choose it doesn't -- affect collective bargaining in any other way.
Except for taking away the union's ability to get a worker fired for not paying them.
Unions -- right to work states can still collectively bargain for wages hours working conditions and benefits.
So it doesn't affect collective barring except for -- -- ability to get their workers fired that's all.
Gentlemen thanks to both -- need for bringing both sides into the debate we appreciate your time we've got to go.
