Employees in Michigan can now opt out of joining and paying dues to unions without sacrificing their jobs. Michigan enacted two separate bills, one for private employees and one for public employees, eliminate “closed shops,” in which employees must join the union and pay dues as a condition of employment. The laws, which take effect in March 2013, exempt existing union contracts until they expire.
This historically amazing development suggests right-to-work laws may become more common. Michigan is one of the most heavily unionized states in the country and is only the second in the industrial Rust Belt to enact such legislation. (Indiana became a right-to-work state in early 2012.)
Brody and Associates regularly advises employers on union-related matters and provides union-free training. If we can be of assistance in this area, please contact us at info@brodyandassociates.com or 203.965.0560.
