Watch a video with background information:

Unionized workers are forced to accept union representation whether they want it or not, even though Michigan is a right-to-work state. Right-to-work takes away a union’s ability to get a worker fired for not paying them. However with the law unions are still given a monopoly to represent all workers on a job. They must provide representation even to those not paying them. While unions like their monopoly they still complain about what they call “free riders” — those forced to accept their services but not paying for them. Unions have brought legal challenges in several states claiming right-to-work violates constitutional takings clauses because of this so-called free rider issue.

The Mackinac Center has a solution, called “Worker’s Choice,” which allows workers to represent themselves and free unions from having to represent nonpaying members. Rep. Gary Glenn (R) has introduced legislation which would bring this freedom to both workers and unions in Michigan’s public sector. This event will discuss the solution to union’s chief complaint about right-to-work and how to solve the problem giving unions, employees and employers more freedom while safeguarding the law against legal challenges. Participants will also hear the perspective of a Michigan public school teacher who will join our panel to answer questions.

Register for this event.

Rep. Gary Glenn was first elected to the Michigan House in November 2014. He represents the 98th District, which includes portions of Bay and Midland counties. Within Bay County, Glenn represents the cities of Auburn and Pinconning, Linwood, and the townships of Beaver, Fraser, Garfield, Gibson, Mount Forest, Pinconning, and Williams. In Midland County, the district includes the city of Midland, the village of Sanford, and the townships of Midland, Homer, Jerome, Larkin, Lee and Lincoln.

F. Vincent Vernuccio is director of labor policy at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. He is author of the study Worker's Choice: Freeing Unions and Workers from Forced Representation. He is a graduate of the Ave Maria School of Law in Ann Arbor, Mich. Under President George W. Bush he served as special assistant to the assistant secretary for administration and management in the Department of Labor.

Lunch is free and is included with reservations.

If you have any questions or need more information, please contact us at 989-698-1905 or events@mackinac.org.