#ThomHartmann @Thom_Hartmann blog: Massive Labor Protests in Michigan
by Thom Hartmann,posted Dec 11 2012 4:50PM
As Republicans lawmakers and Republican Governor Rick Snyder give their final approval to the state’s new right to work for less law. Michigan will join 23 other states in the nation that have gone right to work for less – but it is by far the most unionized state to suffer this fate, which should be very troubling to the organized labor community. In response, as many as 10,000 union workers are expected to march on the Michigan Capitol building today, and kick off a brand new labor struggle in America’s rust belt. Schools across the state are closed due to staff shortages, as teachers are expected to join the struggle in front of the capitol today, too.
President Obama made an appearance in Michigan on Monday, where he slammed the new right to work for less law calling it strictly “political.” Working people have done a remarkable job pushing back against anti-union laws in Wisconsin and Ohio, but the President’s leadership on this issue is vitally important to the success of the labor movement.
President Obama must understand that he was re-elected to a second term because of organized labor. It’s time for him to fight for working people, against these right to work for less laws, and eventually get a card check bill passed through Congress.
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#ThomHartmann @Thom_Hartmann blog: Massive Labor Protests in Michigan
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12/13/2012 8:10AM
RIGHT-TO-WORK IN PA
I was surprised to learn that Pa. is a right to work state but it had little impact until I relocated here from NY. The workers are treated like sh.. here. If they are fired, most employers refuse to pay them unemployment benefits. If they get it, they have to hire an attorney and fight for it! PERIOD! I quit the first job I had when I arrived here. One week later was pay day. When I went back to
pick up my last check, I was told there was no check for me because I had quit! I had to hired an attorney and did get my last pay plus pain and suffering. So it ended up costing he employer more than what was owed me. The office manger told my attorney "they were just kidding"! ; - ) I believe in unions, coming from a union state like NY but I also understand that the Right to Work movement is about breaking the unions so that employers can treat the employees like they do here in Pa (disrespect and disregard). Finally, I wonder how folks think the middle-class was built... not just for people of color but from all of us because it gave us a level playing field in regards to work place treatment.
12/13/2012 8:13AM
RIGHT-TO-WORK IN PA
I was surprised to learn that Pa. is a right to work state but it had little impact until I relocated here from NY. The workers are treated very poorly here. If they are fired, most employers refuse to pay them unemployment benefits. If they get it, they have to hire an attorney and fight for it! PERIOD! I quit the first job I had when I arrived here. One week later was pay day. When I went back to pick up my last check, I was told there was no check for me because I had quit! I had to hired an attorney and did get my last pay plus pain and suffering. So it ended up costing he employer more than what was owed me. The office manger told my attorney "they were just kidding"! ; - ) I believe in unions, coming from a union state like NY but I also understand that the Right to Work movement is about breaking the unions so that employers can treat the employees like they do here in Pa (disrespect and disregard). Finally, I wonder how folks think the middle -class was built... not just for people of color but from all of us because it gave us a level playing field in regards to work place treatment.
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