This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-20682190

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Thousands march as Michigan weighs 'right-to-work' bill Michigan passes 'right-to-work' legislation
(about 2 hours later)
A mass protest is under way at the statehouse in Michigan as lawmakers seemed set to pass a measure limiting labour union powers. Lawmakers in the US state of Michigan, a cradle of the US labour movement, have passed a law limiting union power, amid mass protests at the statehouse.
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, have banned 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. Passage of the measure makes Michigan 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. Inside the state Capitol, protesters chanted "shame on you" as the bill, which applies to public-sector workers passed the chamber by a vote of 58-51.
Meanwhile, Democrats unsuccessfully tried to have the vote reconsidered.
Some 12,000 people gathered to protest the law, according to police estimates.
'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, Valerie Constance, a member of the American Federation of Teachers, told the Associated Press: "I do think this is a very sad day in Michigan history."
"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.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 passed 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. Correspondents say backers of the bill were emboldened after an attempt to enshrine pro-union collective bargaining rights in the state constitution failed during last month's elections.
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 right-to-work measure will bring more jobs and economic benefits to Michigan, while opponents say it is designed to weaken unions and will 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, Gov Snyder called the measure "good legislation", adding that it was designed to give workers a choice.
"This is about being pro-worker," Gov Snyder said. "This is about being pro-worker," he 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. President Barack Obama spoke out on Monday 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 the law in Michigan, a bastion of the US labour movement and home to the US car industry, could give the right-to-work movement its biggest boost yet.
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 states have right-to-work laws, Michigan is only the second to pass such a law in the last decade, following Indiana earlier this year.