A right to work state means that employees are not required to join unions or pay union fees. There are 23 states that have the right to work law in effect, and Indiana is the most recent one. Legislatures are trying to pass proposed legislation to turn Michigan into a right to work state.
Political science expert, Robert Kulishek, says the issue is that if it does pass, people may reap the benefits created by unions without having to pay dues.
"Arguments against it is it would dilute the power of unions and reduce benefits for employees and reduce costs. Unions also argue something called free riders would be created. People get the benefits of the union but are not paying for their union dues," said Kulishek.
Kulishek also says that Governor Snyder opposes this proposition and is not looking to pass it. Union officials also say states that have passed this legislation have seen working wages drop and employee rights cut.
Facebooker Paul Barna writes, "If you like eight hour workdays, weekends, benefits, overtime, vacation and any other right you have as a worker. Do anything you can to stop right to work in Michigan."
Tony Tollefson, a union member of the UAW Local 2178, says employees will not benefit from this.
"It's also proven that unions that are in right to work states bargain for contracts that are far less than those states that do not have right to work. So it really erodes away the middle class and working people," said Tollefson.
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