It passed the MI senate!
Right-to-work bill wins approval from Michigan Senate, House
By David Eggert | deggert1@mlive.com
on December 06, 2012 at 7:40 PM
Union workers hold up a signs during a rally outside the Capitol in Lansing, Mich., Thursday, Dec. 6, 2012 as Senate Republicans introduced right-to-work legislation in the waning days of the legislative session.AP Photo | Carlos Osorio
Related: Right-to-work bill passed in state House
LANSING, MI – After hours of debate, a Republican-dominated Michigan Senate on Thursday approved a bill that would help make Michigan the 24th state with a right-to-work law prohibiting unions from collecting fees from workers who decline union representation.
It was a historic and tension-filled process, marked by occasional yells and clapping from union members sitting above in the gallery to watch. Some were escorted out or left voluntarily after yelling down at senators as Lt. Gov. Brian Calley - the Senate president - sought decorum.
Senate Bill 116 approved 22-16 would apply to private employees; the House earlier approved House Bill 4054 for public employees on a 58-52 vote. Police officers and firefighters would stay in closed union shops under the measures..
“This is a historic event. We ought to treat history better than this," said Sen. John Gleason, Flushing, who joined Democrats whose level of opposition to the legislation was equaled by their frustration with the process.
No committee hearings were held. The bill language was seen for the first time just hours after Gov. Rick Snyder and GOP legislative leaders announced their plan to pass a right-to-work law.
Senate Democrats tried but failed to make 20 amendments to the bill in a chamber where they have just 12 seats. Republicans have 26.
(snipped)