Michigan has become the 24th state to pass a so-called “right-to-work” law, with Gov. Rick Snyder (R) signing the measure on Tuesday, the Associated Press reported.
The law prohibits requiring nonunion employees to pay unions for negotiating contracts, representing them in grievances and other services. Supporters say the law will give workers freedom of association and promote job creation, while critics said its real intent is to drain unions of funds need to bargain effectively, AP reported.
The measure was backed by Snyder and the state’s Republican-controlled Legislature and opposed by Democrats and unions, including the United Auto Workers.
The UAW, which once had more than 1 million U.S. members, now has a national membership of about 380,000 members, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing Labor Department figures.
In Michigan, about 17.5% of workers were union members last year, the Journal reported Wednesday.
The law takes effect 90 days after the legislature adjourns, but even then, workers bound by existing contracts will not be able to stop paying union fees until those deals expire, AP said.
