Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Legislators Keep Campaign Promises to Workers

(LANSING, Mich.) – The Teamsters congratulate Governor Gretchen Whitmer and members of the Michigan legislature for successfully repealing the state’s harmful “right to work” law. “Right to work” is a lie designed to weaken workers’ rights and lower wages.

“Today, Michigan’s elected officials honored their state’s proud labor history by rejecting this dangerous and deceptive anti-union legislation,” said Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien. “Let this be a lesson to politicians in the 26 states where these laws remain on the books: if you want to deliver on promises you make on the campaign trail – the promises of good jobs and middle-class prosperity for your constituents – you can start by strengthening unions by abolishing ‘right to work’ altogether.”

“The Governor and the legislators responsible for passing this law have ushered in a bright future for Michigan. One where workers have better safety standards, higher wages, a louder voice on the job and the uninhibited freedom of association in the workplace that they need and deserve,” said Fred Zuckerman, Teamsters General Secretary-Treasurer.

In addition to repealing “right to work,” the bills Gov. Whitmer signed into law would implement prevailing wage standards for state-funded construction projects and allocate more resources to the Michigan Department of Labor for education and enforcement.

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents 1.2 million hardworking people in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Visit Teamster.org to learn more. Follow us on Twitter @Teamsters and “like” us on Facebook at Facebook.com/teamsters.

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