The right to work law should not have been repealed. Courtesy | AP News.

America prides itself on free speech. But when it comes to unions, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Democratic majority in Michigan’s legislature do not believe people should enjoy this right.

The “right-to-work” law, simply put, gave workers the choice of paying union dues instead of  coercing them to do so. The law not only benefited Michigan’s economy, but it also benefited workers and unions.

Paul Moreno, professor of history, explained in an interview how Michigan, once a very strong union state, passed the “right-to-work” law.

“Michigan was the home of the United Auto Workers and really one of the most strongly organized states in the union. So the idea that they would become a ‘right to work’ state was sort of laughable,” Moreno said. “But then in 2010, the state had become increasingly Republican and I think mostly a recognition that it’d be good for job creation. Employers like to start new businesses in ‘right-to-work’ states that don’t have to deal with the extra costs of unions.” 

Less than one year after people celebrated the 10th anniversary of Michigan’s “right-to-work” law, Whitmer signed legislation repealing it. 

Though some may argue that the repealing of Michigan’s “right-to-work” law will benefit unionized workers as it may result in better contracts for the workers since there is more accountability, the benefits will likely only be short term.

Christopher Martin, associate professor of economics, explained the long-term consequences of the law getting repealed.

“There are arguments and evidence on both sides of this issue, but I think the case is pretty strong that the ‘right-to-work’ repeal will discourage new businesses from locating in Michigan or existing businesses from investing or expanding,” Martin said.  “Employment and income growth will tend to be slower in Michigan than it would have been otherwise.” 

Now that the “right-to-work” law is gone, people in the private sector can be required to pay union dues if their employer is part of a union. If they refuse to do so, they can legally be fired. Unions often become political platforms for workers to express their political affiliations. This means that workers may be required to pay dues to a union they do not even agree with. 

The “right-to-work” law benefited unions as well because the law kept unions in check. In a 2014 Washington Post article, former southern region director for the United Auto Workers, Gary Casteel, said the “right-to-work” law keeps unions accountable. Casteel argued that when workers are given the freedom to choose if they want to commit to a union’s views, workers that do choose to commit allow unions to be more effective.

Michigan’s “right-to-work” law allowed for the state to benefit economically, workers to get the freedom to choose what unions to join, and even for unions to be more effective. The rights Americans hold dear should not be up for grabs.