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Michigan passes 'right-to-work' legislation | Michigan passes 'right-to-work' legislation |
(about 7 hours later) | |
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. | 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 succeeded in banning 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. |
Outside, police in riot gear used tear gas to control tensions among a crowd of more than 10,000 protesters. | Outside, police in riot gear used tear gas to control tensions among a crowd of more than 10,000 protesters. |
Passage of the measure makes Michigan the 24th "right-to-work" state. | Passage of the measure makes Michigan the 24th "right-to-work" state. |
Bills sent by the House and Senate were signed into law by Michigan Governor Rick Snyder early on Tuesday evening. | Bills sent by the House and Senate were signed into law by Michigan Governor Rick Snyder early on Tuesday evening. |
Attracting jobs? | Attracting jobs? |
An estimated 12,000 people turned out amid freezing temperatures to protest against the law, according to police estimates. | An estimated 12,000 people turned out amid freezing temperatures to protest against the law, according to police estimates. |
About 10 mounted officers and more than 40 state troopers were standing in lines two-deep, and used tear gas and pepper spray on demonstrators at least once, the Detroit Free Press newspaper reported. | About 10 mounted officers and more than 40 state troopers were standing in lines two-deep, and used tear gas and pepper spray on demonstrators at least once, the Detroit Free Press newspaper reported. |
The newspaper added that two protesters had been arrested for trying to force their way into the building where the governor's offices are located. | The newspaper added that two protesters had been arrested for trying to force their way into the building where the governor's offices are located. |
At one point the crowd tore down a tent that had been set up by Americans for Prosperity, a group that backed the legislation. | At one point the crowd tore down a tent that had been set up by Americans for Prosperity, a group that backed the legislation. |
Inside the state capitol, protesters chanted "shame on you" as the first of two bills, which applied to public-sector workers, passed the chamber by a vote of 58-51. | Inside the state capitol, protesters chanted "shame on you" as the first of two bills, which applied to public-sector workers, passed the chamber by a vote of 58-51. |
Meanwhile, Democrats - who hold a 46-64 minority to Republicans - unsuccessfully tried to have the vote reconsidered. | Meanwhile, Democrats - who hold a 46-64 minority to Republicans - unsuccessfully tried to have the vote reconsidered. |
Later, a similar measure for private-sector workers was passed in the House by a margin of 58-52, following its approval in the state senate last week. | Later, a similar measure for private-sector workers was passed in the House by a margin of 58-52, following its approval in the state senate last week. |
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." |
Wrangles over right-to-work laws have played out over weeks in some states, but the bill passed in Lansing was rapidly pushed through only last week. | Wrangles over right-to-work laws have played out over weeks in some states, but the bill passed in Lansing was rapidly pushed through 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 during last month's elections failed badly. | 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. | 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. | 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. | "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 right-to-work fear its passage in Michigan, home to the US car industry, could give the 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. |