The Nation: Pro–'Right to Work' Groups In Michigan Outspend Union Counterparts

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.thenation.com/blog/171663/pro-right-work-groups-michigan-outspend-union-counterparts?rel=emailNation

Lee Fang



In a surprise that caught most observers off-guard, Michigan, the birthplace of the modern labor movement, will become a so-called right-to-work state in just a few days. The Nation’s John Nichols put up a post explaining how Governor Rick Snyder (R) quickly announced the bill earlier this week, rammed it through both legislative chambers within a day, and is on track to sign in it soon.

The measure, which will unravel unions in Michigan and likely lead to wage and benefit cuts down the road, has been long sought by powerful corporate interests and a small group of politically active billionaires.

How were they able to achieve such a success, in a historically union-friendly state like Michigan?

By most accounts, Snyder and his allies took everyone by surprise. On Tuesday evening, Snyder called a press conference to say he would be reversing himself, and would be throwing his weight for the first time behind making Michigan a right-to-work state. The day Snyder unveiled his new position on the controversial law, several business lobby groups endorsed the bill, and a $1 million television and radio ad campaign began airing in local media to encourage the public to support it. The Michigan Freedom Fund, the group airing the ad, was founded on November 5th by a campaign operative named Greg McNeilly. He is known locally for his work as GOP gubernatorial candidate Dick DeVos’s campaign manager in 2006, and as an employee to a DeVos company. [See the ad here]

FULL story at link.

?v=3