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Thousands march as Michigan weighs 'right-to-work' bill | Thousands march as Michigan weighs 'right-to-work' bill |
(34 minutes later) | |
A mass protest is under way at the statehouse in Michigan as lawmakers seemed set to pass a measure limiting labour union powers. | |
Republicans, who control the state legislature, plan to ban a requirement that workers pay union fees as a condition of employment. | Republicans, who control the state legislature, plan to ban a requirement that workers pay union fees as a condition of employment. |
The so-called "right-to-work" bill could be signed into law by Michigan Governor Rick Snyder later this week. | The so-called "right-to-work" bill could be signed into law by Michigan Governor Rick Snyder later this week. |
If the measure succeeds, Michigan would become the 24th right-to-work state. | If the measure succeeds, Michigan would become the 24th right-to-work state. |
Thousands of protesters gathered outside the state Capitol in Lansing on Tuesday morning, ahead of what could be final votes on the bill. | |
'Sacrifices' | 'Sacrifices' |
One demonstrator, Sharon Mowers, who is a member of United Auto Workers and has worked at General Motors for 13 years, said she was worried that passage of the bill would mean lower wages. | One demonstrator, Sharon Mowers, who is a member of United Auto Workers and has worked at General Motors for 13 years, said she was worried that passage of the bill would mean lower wages. |
"People don't understand the labour movement," she told the Associated Press. "They don't understand the sacrifices people made to get us to this point." | "People don't understand the labour movement," she told the Associated Press. "They don't understand the sacrifices people made to get us to this point." |
Inside, on the third floor of the capitol, dozens of people circled the rotunda and chanted: "This is our house!" as they waited to get into the public gallery, the Detroit Free Press reported. | |
The newspaper added the demonstrations were expected to be one of the largest in history of Michigan, a union bastion. | |
Wrangles over right-to-work laws have played out over weeks in some states, but the bill under consideration in Lansing was introduced only last week. | Wrangles over right-to-work laws have played out over weeks in some states, but the bill under consideration in Lansing was introduced only last week. |
Proponents say the measure would bring more jobs and economic benefits to Michigan, while opponents say the laws are designed to weaken unions and would lead to lower wages. | Proponents say the measure would bring more jobs and economic benefits to Michigan, while opponents say the laws are designed to weaken unions and would lead to lower wages. |
In an interview with a local news outlet on Tuesday, Governor Snyder called the measure "good legislation", adding that the law was designed to give workers a choice. | In an interview with a local news outlet on Tuesday, Governor Snyder called the measure "good legislation", adding that the law was designed to give workers a choice. |
"This is about being pro-worker," Gov Snyder said. | "This is about being pro-worker," Gov Snyder said. |
But on Monday, President Barack Obama spoke out against the law during an appearance in Michigan to discuss a separate matter, his plan to avoid nationwide tax rises and deep spending cuts due to take effect next year. | But on Monday, President Barack Obama spoke out against the law during an appearance in Michigan to discuss a separate matter, his plan to avoid nationwide tax rises and deep spending cuts due to take effect next year. |
"These so-called right-to-work laws, they don't have anything to do with economics; they have everything to do with politics," President Obama said. | "These so-called right-to-work laws, they don't have anything to do with economics; they have everything to do with politics," President Obama said. |
"What they're really talking about is giving you the right to work for less money." | "What they're really talking about is giving you the right to work for less money." |
Opponents of the bill fear that if the legislation passes in Michigan, where the US car industry is based, it could give the right-to-work movement its biggest boost yet, correspondents say. | Opponents of the bill fear that if the legislation passes in Michigan, where the US car industry is based, it could give the right-to-work movement its biggest boost yet, correspondents say. |
Although nearly half of US state have right-to-work laws, Michigan would be only the second state to pass such a law in the last decade, following Indiana earlier this year. | Although nearly half of US state have right-to-work laws, Michigan would be only the second state to pass such a law in the last decade, following Indiana earlier this year. |