Reader Comment Redux: Weigh In On Michigan "Right to Work" Laws

The comments keep on coming.

Michigan's new status as a "right-to-work" state has inflamed passionate rhetoric on both sides of the debate.

Again, support for right-to-work is strong among our readers.

"I did try to get a 'Union Job' in PA, but it was the UNION that shot me down even though the employer tried to get me in. Who's helping who here? They certainly didn't help me," said Stu Weineke.

"I won't be leaving AZ any time soon. IMHO, working in a 'Union Shop' means you have to work for TWO bosses who can't agree on anything that directly affects your life. Life is difficult enough without bringing more politics into it."

A commenter named Noah agreed. "The big problem with unions is they get greedy--and when they get too greedy the company becomes non-competitive and often goes out of business.

In Government and School systems--since they really can't go out of business--they just become less and less effective."

Cato0212 said union relevance has run its course. "This bill simply prevents unions from collecting due from non-union workers. As for union safe guards for employees--before civil liberty laws, before federal workforce laws, before OSHA laws, unions provided a much needed tool for wage equalization, work place environment and safety reform. Unions served their purpose and we should all be thankful, but the need for unions has become obsolete. Right-to-work laws do not prohibit unionization. Want to belong to a union, fine! Pay your dues and be happy, but you shouldn't require someone to be a union member if he/she opts not to.  Requiring non-members to pay dues is near abhorrent."

But mertens266 defended the usefulness of unions. "For those that believe unions have outlived their usefulness and that there are enough laws protecting workers, who's going to speak for you when those laws are weakened or eliminated?  You?  Do you even know where to complain to?  Bangladesh in 2003 announced its government would no longer enforce worker protection laws but have employers self regulate, a movement gaining speed here also.  Good luck."

Carlos is a state employee in California, but he supported Michigan's RTW laws. "I applaud the brave elected officials for protecting the people from thugs.  As an employee of 21 years for the State of California, I've been so frustrated and cheated with my pay check being deducted to pay Union dues (as part of the "Fair Share" law) whether I was a member or not.  99.9% of the time the Union would spend the money on Political adds or endorsement (and almost always against my own views) and I was helpless about it.  Kudos Michigan!!"

And again, mertens266 came to the unions' defense. "Do you have vacation days, health benefits, set hours and an agreed upon wage?  If you I were a manager, I would eliminate all those money sucking things.  You'd work when I wanted on a whim, buy your own health plan and most certainly would not get a vacation day.  And in the economy, I could get away with it.  I know this because my father runs 3 car dealerships and did exactly that.  No one complained even though many of his employees are slowly going broke.  Like cooking a frog in a boiling pot of water."

It's lonely in the comments section for union supporters. What do you think?