Right to Work Protest March

12,500 people converged on Lansing, Michigan Tuesday, to protest the signing of the right-to-work bill, by Michigan Governor Rick Snyder. Teachers, autoworkers, pipe fitters, steam fitters, electricians, carpenters, iron workers, stage and theatrical workers, engineers, musicians, and plumbers, were all well represented.

The bill was rapidly passed with little civil deliberation, and more importantly by lame-duck legislators. Another blow for the thousands of working class union members encompassing a wide variety of workers from across the state. Republican representative Jim Stamas of Midland, admittedly said, Tuesdays signing was payback for similar bills passed during the previously Democratic majority of 2007 to 2009.  Governor Snyder recanted previous statements that expressed no desire to get involved with right to work issues, but relented after considerable pressure from big business and lobbying efforts on behalf of Richard Devoss and the Koch brothers, as well as Republican sponsors who rapidly wrote the bill before any sort of public discourse was able to build steam in opposition to the bill.

The march was followed by acts of civil disobedience, as protesters blocked the entrance to Governor Snyder's office across the street from the Capitol Building. Eventually, police dressed in riot-gear pushed the crowd back to regain control of the buildings entrance, as angry protesters quarrelled with the Michigan State Police. Earlier in the day, similar outbursts were quelled as protesters tore down the tent of pro-right-to-work supporters representing the organization Americans for Prosperity. There were a few arrests by days end, but overall the day was marked by peaceful protesting.

UAW president James Hoffa, promised to fight the bill in court, but it's doubtful any effect this might have with a Republican majority in local state government. For now, it looks as though voters hold all the cards, as most have their eye on the 2014 election. It remains to be seen if Michigan unions will continue to lose political clout with regards to the working class, and can its members organize voters to effect change that fairly represents the interests of the people? Time will tell.