Union members and supporters are gearing up for a massive protest Tuesday in Michigan’s capital in a last-ditch effort to stall the expected passage of “right-to-work” legislation, as they already make plans to challenge the proposal in court.
The surprise move by Michigan Republicans this past Thursday to approve the anti-union bills touched off a firestorm in the home of the U.S. auto industry. Following high-profile fights over union privileges in Wisconsin and Indiana, Michigan in an instant became the latest battleground in that struggle.
The state legislature returns to Lansing on Tuesday, when Republicans are planning to cast the final votes on the union package and send it to Gov. Rick Snyder’s desk. Snyder, a Republican, has said he would sign the bill, which prohibits unions from demanding dues from workers.
If this happens, Michigan would become the 24th “right-to-work” state in the nation — and American unions would suffer a stinging defeat in the cradle of the labor movement. Union bosses made clear they won’t go down without a fight.
Unions, as usual, have vowed to protest, stop work; yada, yada, yada…
But when I see stuff like THIS, I just cannot help but hope they are successful in passing the bills…
Chrysler said in a statement that it does not support the decision to bring back the workers but would like to move on.
“While the company does not agree with the ultimate decision of the arbitrator, we respect the grievance procedure process as outlined in the collective bargaining agreement and our relationship with the (United Auto Workers union),” the company said, according to MyFoxDetroit. “Unfortunately, the company was put in a very difficult position because of the way the story was investigated and ultimately revealed to the public.
Italics and bold mine, yeah it was unfortunate, because it couldn’t be swept under the rug…
These employees from Jefferson North have been off work for more than two years. The time has come to put this situation behind us and resume our focus on building quality products that will firmly establish Chrysler Group’s position in the marketplace.”
The employees work at the Jefferson North Assembly Plant, which builds Jeep Cherokees.
I have a Toyota FJ, not a Jeep for that reason — however, moving on, the Right to Work legislation in Michigan, of all places, shocked me. I thought that they’d set fire to the state before they did that. OH, wait, they already did.
Now they need to fix what they’ve done.
This is a good first step. And it’s a slap in the face of the ObamaNation.
I could write for hours about my observation of unions.
Michigan will benefit from “right to work” legislation. Even unions will benefit, but I doubt many members will ever understand.
Right to work is a good thing. Let Freedom Ring!
LL- Good points!
Jess- Concur.
Paw- Agreed!!!
Had an interesting “conversation” with my cousin and his anger at the “overlords” winning this one. His level if ignorance given his age and education is breath taking. Had a parallel one with his son. Suspect I won’t be invited for Christmas.
My dad was in the very first wildcat strike in Flint in the 30s. Honestly, lots of solid reasons for the unions coming to power. But they truly fell prey to the phrase “total power corrupts totally”. Glad the workers of Michigan are finally free of their abuse.
Yep. Those Chrysler guys also got full back pay and the two years that they spent at home will count towards their retirement, so in essence, there was no punishment. When I was in undergrad, I paid my way through school working contract security in two different Ford plants. The stuff that those union guys got caught doing was astounding. Theft, sabotage, fraud, drug dealing, assaults…there was never any shame or contrition because they felt that the company deserved it or owed it to them and they knew that the union would fix everything, which they always did. Guys with toolroom jobs–cushiest jobs in the plants–routinely stole tools, and when caught and fired, got re-instated and put right back in the toolroom. Aargh! And even the most menial floor sweeper has to get assembly line wages. Unions cost those companies millions in extra expenses every year and are the reason that American cars cost so much. And the scum that they keep employed are the reasons that American cars suck so bad. Because of unions, companies cannot get rid of lazy, dishonest workers and offer jobs to industrious people who really want to work.
I was UAW.
I remember conversations with guys willing to beat people and brick scab’s cars should we strike.
Not people I want to associate with.
I’m surprised Snyder supports it this year.
I was disappointed he did not last year.
Interesting thing is that under RTW, the union could refuse to represent you (and should) and you would have to negotiate your own benefits.
You might make more (or less) than the guy next to you.
I suspect if you made less, you’d join the union.
It is about time someone got their head out of their ass and found out the ridiculousness of Unions. And I hope it kicks Obama in the ass all the way to Hawaii where he was never born.
Unions don’t help the rank and file when the rank and file allow thugs to take over. Oops! Meant to say voters/country. My bad.
My dad spent the last 30 years of his working life as a UAW member in a Chrysler plant. He described it as a cesspool of illegal activities and thugs. Tried to fight it but recognized early on there were no repercussions against the rule-breakers, but there would be repercussions for him if he squealed.
Inmates running the asylum.
Toyota FJ rocks. 2008 and not a single problem except a glitchy radio (warranty covered that). Let’s put a stake in the union’s heart!
OFF-TOPIC…anyone know what happened to Wyatt Earp/Support Your Local Gunfighter? Blog is down.
eia- Yeah, it IS interesting how folks are responding…
Murph- well said.
Ed- Interesting, thanks!
CP- Snerk…
WSF- Good one!
Rev- NOT the first time I’ve heard that… sigh
Tim- yeah…
Gunnut- Concur, and no, no idea on Wyatt.
My Dad worked 41 years at the Flint Buick plant. He had story after story about things that went on there. It was mind boggling the things people would do and not have to worry. Early on he was warned about the penalty for “informing” on a “brother” worker. After what he witnessed during the race riots he was convinced.
I was pleased when the RTW passed, except for one little thing. A spending appropriation was inserted into the bill. Which by state constitution means it cannot be overturned by voter referendum. Not so sure I like that bit of Democracy being removed. Too little left as it is.
Roger
Roger- Thanks for the comment… Eye opening to put it mildly… sigh
Roger:
“A spending appropriation was inserted into the bill. Which by state constitution means it cannot be overturned by voter referendum. “
That’s why it was put in there, to protect the RTW law.
We voted down the proposal to require all home care givers to join the SEIU. Even though they spent boatloads of money saying it was to protect the elderly.
I guess I am old fashioned. I don’t feel a law should have to be protected if the voting public finds it reasonable. Last I heard only 18% of the workforce was union. The only people I have heard squealing are union. If it could be overturned by vote, well isn’t that what the right to vote is all about?
I am all for RTW, but that bit of chicanery goes against my grain.
Roger
Wonder how many people are going to bail out of the unions now.
Also wonder if the unions will get Card-Check now.
Ed/Roger- Thanks for the comments
Rick- I think probably 50% will bail.