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Michigan passes 'right-to-work' legislation Michigan passes 'right-to-work' legislation
(35 minutes later)
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. Lawmakers in the 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, have banned a requirement that workers pay union fees as a condition of employment. Republicans, who control the state legislature, have succeeded in banning 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 will now be signed into law by Michigan Governor Rick Snyder.
Passage of the measure makes Michigan the 24th right-to-work state.Passage of the measure makes Michigan the 24th right-to-work state.
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. 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. Meanwhile, Democrats - who hold a 46-64 minority to Republicans - unsuccessfully tried to have the vote reconsidered.
Some 12,000 people gathered to protest the law, according to police estimates. Attracting jobs?
'Sacrifices' Some 12,000 people turned out amid freezing temperatures to protest against the law, according to police estimates.
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."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."
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.
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 passed 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. It was approved in the Michigan House of Representatives on Tuesday following its passage in the state senate last week.
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. Correspondents say backers of the bill were emboldened after an attempt to enshrine pro-union collective bargaining rights in the state constitution during last month's elections failed badly.
Proponents of the right-to-work measure say it will bring more jobs and economic benefits to Michigan, while opponents say it will lead to lower wages.
John Proos, a Republican state senator who backed the bill, predicted public anger would abate because he said the new policy would bring new jobs to Michigan.
"As they say in sports, the atmosphere in the locker room gets a lot better when the team's winning," Mr Proos told the Associated Press.
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.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," he said."This is about being pro-worker," he said.
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.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 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. Opponents of right-to-work fear its passage in Michigan, home to the US car industry, could give the movement its biggest boost yet.
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.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.