Despite the vocal opposition of MMA and Michigan’s business community, the Legislature passed and Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed into law Public Act 8 and Public Act 9 of 2023, which repeal Michigan’s landmark Right-to-Work law.

This policy change will undoubtedly reverse progress on Michigan’s economic competitiveness and the ability to grow and keep jobs.

MMA was an active and vocal opponent of the legislation as it sped through the legislature in March 2023, arguing that Michigan must compete for technologically transformational jobs and projects or risk losing them to states that choose not to interfere with employee choices.

Worker freedom to choose whether they participate in a labor union is seen as a primary consideration in site selection and Michigan must aggressively seek investment as other states work to lure away billions in investments.

This is a time for the Legislature to communicate clearly to manufacturing investors, both our existing manufacturing companies and those outside Michigan, that Michigan is open for business and we have the right skilled workforce to make their investments successful in the face of global competition. Repealing our Right-to-Work moves us in the wrong direction.

Resources

Legislation
• Public Act 9 of 2023 (Weiss) — Labor; collective bargaining; requirement for agency fee for nonunion members; allow in bargaining agreements and as condition of employer in public sector;
• Public Act 8 of 2023 (Camilleri) — Labor; collective bargaining; collective bargaining rights; revise to restore former provisions

MMA Activity and Communication
• MMA Veto Letter to Governor Gretchen Whitmer (3/28/23)
• MMA Senate Floor Letter in Opposition to House Bills 4004 and 4005 and Senate Bills 5 and 34
• Repeal of Right-to-Work Reverses Progress of Michigan’s Economic Competitiveness (MMA Legislative Alert, 3/14/23)
• MMA President’s Message: House Committee Passes Right-to-Work Repeal (3/8/23)
• MMA House Testimony in Opposition to House Bills 4004 and 4005
• MMA President’s Message: Right-to-Work Repeal Will Hurt Michigan (3/9/23)

Media
• Billboard encourages Michiganders to move over right-to-work repeal (WILX, 3/24/23)
• Michigan Manufacturers Association Says Repeal of Right-to-Work Reverses Progress of Michigan’s Economic Competitiveness (Press Release, 3/14/23)
• Statement of MMA President & CEO John J. Walsh in Response to House Passage of Right-to-Work Repeal (3/9/23)
• Joint Press Release with the Michigan Chamber of Commerce: Job Providers Silenced as Uncompetitive Legislation Speeds through House Committee (3/8/23)
• Statement of MMA President & CEO John J. Walsh in Response to House Labor Committee Passage of Right-to-Work Repeal (3/8/23)