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Subscribe to RSSAs more protests are planned in Michigan over the controversial right-to-work bill, Rep. Hansen Clarke (D-Mich.) tells MSNBC's Thomas Roberts that he's concerned the legislation will "end up cutting wages and benefits for middle-income workers who really need the money right now."
Michigan's congressional delegation met Monday with Gov. Rick Snyder, asking him to veto or at least delay a vote on a "right to work" law moving through the state's legislature.
Democrats and organized labor groups have launched an all-out blitz they are hoping might halt legislation that would establish workers' rights to employment in a workplace without having to join a union. The Republican-held state legislature passed versions of the legislation last week, and are set to bring it up for final consideration as soon as Tuesday.
NBC's Mark Murray and Domenico Montanaro discuss the fiscal cliff deadline and President Obama's motives behind his trip to Michigan on Monday.
Snyder, a first-term Republican governor who's fashioned himself as a more pragmatic leader, has said he would sign the bill if it came to his desk.
"We strongly urged the governor to veto the so-called right to work bill, or at a minimum, ask the legislature to delay the vote on it," Sen. Carl Levin said in a conference call to describe Democrats' meeting with the governor. "The governor listened, and he told us that he would 'seriously,' in his words, consider our concerns."
Former Michigan Republican Governor John Engler, who is the president of the business roundtable, joins The Daily Rundown's Chuck Todd to talk about President Barack Obama's trip the Michigan, the fiscal cliff, and Michigan's 'right to work' law.
Snyder's office had no immediate reaction to Democrats' characterization of the meeting.
Michigan has become the latest Midwestern epicenter over labor rights as a result of this fight, following Ohio and Wisconsin. The Republican governors of those states led efforts to curb or eliminate collective bargaining rights for public employees' unions.
Alex Wong / Getty Images
Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin
National Democrats have begun to wade into the fight as well, issuing blistering statements warning against the Michigan proposal. The fight could be elevated further this afternoon, when President Barack Obama visits the Detroit area in a previously-scheduled trip.
Democrats are particularly incensed by a procedural move used by Republican authors of the bill which would prevent the law from being challenged by a statewide referendum. The Democrats who met Monday with Snyder said they had also urged the governor to change that provision, so that the right to work proposal could be brought to a popular vote.
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Yes and corporations and CEO's make next to nothing.
You've got to love the current crop of Republicans. They will voice any lie to get elected and then have the gall to publicly do what they said they would not without even flinching. One has to hope the electorate of Michigan has the stones to organize and impeach this idiot.
I've never been in a union...My position is that they are a necessary evil since the rich are so uncontrollably greedy.
At one time (I'm old) almost any one who worked full-time made a livable wage and almost every healthy person who wanted a FULL-TIME job could find one...but owners LIKED their employees and payed what they could and thought they were their strength.
Now "labor" is considered as "the most-controllable expense" and owners have never met their workers and once they get more expensive than training a new guy at minimum wage, they are gone. Once unemployment is high enough, they hire more and more part-time so they can save on benefits.
...and the income gap between owners and workers grew and grew until the top 1% ended up unbelievably rich and the lower 30% of WORKERS couldn't afford rent.
There is no "trickle-down" or "low-taxes = high employment". If the rich get more money they keep more money and to hell with everyone else. It's cheaper to buy a few Republican politicians than take care of their workers.
One would intuitively think that Democrats would eliminate financial burdens and increase employee rights. Meanwhile, fewer people make more money while the community would benefit from more people working. The Democrats paradox.
Unions are excellent for substandard workers, do not hurt average workers, and make sure their is no benefit to being a great worker.
Tom, union workers built almost every building of any significance in the country. Union workers took us to the moon and back. The electricity you use every day is there because of a union worker.
I worked in the trades for thirty years. The substandard tradesmen were nonunion. Many times a nonunion contractor was unable to complete the job and was replaced by a union contractor.
I guess, if it doesn't fit your political agenda, just lie. Tom, just keep listening to right wing media, but don't try to pedal that crap to someone who knows better.
You are describing what used to be. I agree 100% of the past need and high quality of union work. Unions have been corrupted and no longer stand for what they once did.
Right to work is really right to fire. I have worked in both union and non union jobs and live in Michigan. I would much rather have the union job . I was layed off from a union job about 8 years ago. I than spent the next almost 3 years at home depot which is considered a right to work company. Mind you I was employee of the month like 4 times I hated the place. If you had any complaints at all and went to management they would tell you flat out right to work means right to fire. If you don't like things at the job even if they were ideas of improvement you had to keep them to yourself. If you don't like whats going on they would tell you there is the door we can hire 10 more of you for less pay. The managers were corrupt and lazy. The employees who kissed butt got all of the extras and the funny thing is right before I left to stay home with my newborn baby 10 of those great employees who got all the extras were found to be stealing right from the company and while I was off delivering my daughter my own dept head was embezzling from the store making fake receipts and walking out with merchandise. When I was in the union I was paid well and worked hard doing it. As I said before Right to work means right to fire.
Why not call it a "Right to be victimized" state instead? More truthful. It has been less than two generations since Americans fought, bled and died on our own soil without putting on a uniform or having guns (employer's goons did though) so we can enjoy the standard of living we do. The enemy hasn't gome away.
So, Obama and friends endorse a policy of strong-arming the work force, that they must join a labor union - - - no choice ? Is this America or the Sicilian mob ?
Letting unions charge a fee to non-union members is un-american to our core. This bill needs to be passed to stop this behaviour that should have never been allowed to begin with.
Hey, Feisty, don't you think workers should have a choice in whether or not they join a union? Oops! I forgot, the mantra of the Democrats is "Do as I say, not as I do."What's wrong with having a workplace where union and non-union works coinhabit? Maybe someone who isn't a lunatic liberal doesn't want to pay union dues to a bunch of cigar-chomping mooching thugs who donate to the Democrat Party. Furthermore, why should a union be allowed to be a special interest group anyway? Didn't BaROKE Obama say in 2008 that he wouldn't allow
Unions have long-since used up their usefulness - I admit in the Chicago Meat Packing days, they had a place - primarily for workplace conditions; however, the Govt oversees workplace practices now that they didn't back then. Even the King of liberals, the socialist, FDR, said Unions do not have a place in public employment - and they don't because the people are their employers. And as for speical interest groups that BaROKE Obama said in 2008 that he wouldn't tolerate, the "Liar-in-Chief" lived up to his name.
Unions are heavily involved in the fleecing of America.
All good workers should leave Michigan. Cheap-labor conservatives should be educated to the fact that they get what they pay for.
Like the crappy cars that the union has made.
Union thugs attacked right to work protesters in Michigan yesterday.
Comrades, let the REVOLUTION BEGIN! Karl Marx would be proud, kill the rich and eat their children!!!
Some of the funny comments by the libs driving their foreign cars because the "quality" put out by the union workers was so crappy. Then your prez bails out the auto companies because they are going broke from the union contracts. Get real
The unions used baseball bats and violence to get their way in the 50's, and they are doing it again. When will you yokels learn.
oh I wish they would try that here..
So, I take it that Violence is the answer when duly elected officials exercise their ability and duty to craft legislation that not only benefits the particular people represented by them but also economically benefits the well being of the State as a whole.
"If" Freedom to choose is such a widely touted tenant of the left, then why would people become abusive when a Governing body wants to extend liberty for those who may choose not to be affiliated with a Union ? Are you pro choice ? or not?
I can only see this as a good thing, and also a trend nationwide.
Washington may be broken and many states may be likewise dysfunctional however, many of the several states And their legislative body's along with the executive departments are stepping up to the real challenges America faces, and doing the right thing for the people with out regard to special interest groups getting in the way of decision making.
Many of the several states who have decided to limit freedom and put road blocks up against prosperity have been loosing their population and therefore their productivity base. Awe, most a pity to see the decline but, possibly this will be an illustrative lesson for those who practice the ole power over the people Mantra...
Ya know, if you run all the business people out of business or drive them to leave, all you will be left with is a in no way sustainable mess with no way to pay for it ie, Cali Ny. ill. georgia ect....
"Get Used Too It" ----------------4ward---------->rt
Boy the democrats must be Pissed. How did the republicans figure out their tactic from ObamaCare? Damn I hate when the enemy figures out, and uses, the same strategy. Oh wait, it has been going on forever. Remember ObamaCare!!