History of Michigan’s Right to Work Reform
Throughout the 1900’s, Michigan was essentially the epicenter of growth for the United States economy. Amway, Chrysler, The Ford Motor Company, Kellogg, General Motors, and Whirlpool were among some of the top Michigan based companies that lead the growth in that time period. Michigan was the center for business and entrepreneurial excellence, however, starting in the 1970’s and continuing today, the Michigan economy has diminished into one of the worst in the country (Nash, 2012). In an effort to improve economic conditions (arguably), the state of Michigan passed a reform to make itself a “right to work” state. A look at the history before the reform shows that it was no easy task under
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This was just two years after the automobile industry government bailout and automobile manufacturing accounts for more than 20 percent of the state 's economy (Bury, 2012). According to Comerica Bank 's Michigan Economic Activity Index, Michigan 's economy reached a 10-year high in 2011 and 67,000 jobs were created (Henderson, 2012).
2012 Michigan Competitiveness Study In 2012, the Michigan Chamber Foundation along with a research team led by scholars from Northwood University, conducted a comprehensive analysis of Michigan’s economy and its position for the future. The study focused primarily on Michigan’s economic performance in relation to national averages and the other U.S. states but also analyzed the issue of RTW legislation and its impact on Michigan’s economy. The following are a few examples of Michigan’s competitiveness relative to the rest of the United States along with comparisons of RTW states vs. NRTW states (Nash, 2012):
1. Growth in Personal Income: Personal income per capita growth in Michigan grew 20.3% from 2000-2010 while the U.S. average income grew at 36.4% over the same period. Personal income growth over the period grew at just under 40% in RTW states and at 34.2% in NRTW states
2. Real Gross State Product: Michigan Real Gross State Product (GSP) trailed the national average
Issue: Under the state’s tort law, does forgery occur when an individual finds a check written out to cash, and was there any intent to injure or defraud.
The labor relations movement has been one of the most successful driving forces behind such efforts as: providing aid to workers who were injured or retired, better health benefits and to stop the practice of child labor in the workforce. Ostensibly, unions in the United States arose out of the need to better protect the “common interests” of laborers. Today, many of the social movements and alliances forged are created under the guise to better protect the employer from a plethora of interests made against the organization, rather than, increasing wages, improving reasonable employment hours and/or enhancing work conditions.
The New deal of 1933 is often regarded at the height of the government’s beneficial support for the rights of the worker. The overall aim of the legislation was to decrease unemployment left in the wake of the Great Depression, as well as improve the rights of those who had already found employment in the unskilled labour force. The National Industry Recovery Act marked a significant change in the attitude of the Governments that had gone before, in that Roosevelt’s economic plans tended to support the worker over the employer, seeking to guarantee minimum wages, as well as the rights of trade unions to exercise collective bargaining techniques. The real benefits of the act were limited in that it was ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, as it infringed on State’s rights. Despite this, the prospects for greater improvement in labour rights had never been better, as there was now a President who not only
Unions were formed to protect and improve the rights of workers. Their first order of business was to establish the eight-hour workday and in 1866, the national labor union was formed. Labor movements were around before 1866, but few organized up until this point. Unions created an environment for workers with difficult tasks, creating better pay, safer work conditions, and sanitary work conditions. Unions made life better for many Americans in the private sector. Collective bargaining became the way in which employers and a group of employees reached agreements, coming to a common consensus. From 1866 to the early 1900’s Unions continued to make headways increasing membership and power. The real gains started in 1933 after several pieces of legislature, which saved banks, plantations, and farmers. The American Federation of Labor (AFL) proposed an important, and controversial, amendment to the National Industrial Recovery Act of 1933. It insisted that language from the pro-labor Norris-LaGuardia Act of 1932 be added to the simple declaration of the right to collective bargaining. The setbacks the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) suffered in Little Steel and textiles in the latter half of 1937, and in Congress from 1938 to 1940, despite the gains made by the AFL, by 1940 the amendment had stalled. WWII created a rapid buildup within the industrial complex, creating more work for women and African Americans, overshadowing the union’s inability to project their power
Majority of the people that started working in the plants came from the south. These people were looking for work and the state of Michigan provided that for them, with no education needed to start working. This provided the men to take care his whole family. The job provided benefits, great pay, day care, and offer to pay for the schooling if interested while working for the car industry. More and more people started to move and settle in Michigan. When the country was going through its toughest time dealing with the recession people were laid off. People weren’t buying cars at that time because no one could afford it. When people have low income and the air that they breathe is polluted you might have some issues with the economy. With pollution and poverty running so high nothing will get solved but the problem could get worst if it is not prevented and halted. As the economy has gotten worse, the pollution got worse as
The early 19th century in America saw the rise of industry and a booming economy, however, with industry came businessmen who saw an opportunity for power and profit. Even with help from the government, it would be a long time before the American people saw an improvement in the condition of the laborers and the regulation of corporations. Fast forward to the 21st century; two hundred years have passed and people are still struggling at the hands of a corporation-run economy. Throughout history, American laborers have been at the mercy of an industry controlled by a small few that did not have the best interest of the people in mind.
In labor as in all things there is strength in numbers it is this strength that American labor unions provide. Labor unions provide a collective voice for those who had not previously been heard. As the professor in the “Frustrated Labor Historian” Dr. Horace P. Karastan is left with the dilemma what are the three most important events in American labor union history it would be difficult to choose with so many important moments. There are however several events that stand out as being turning points in giving employees unquestionable protections. The Norris-LaGuardia Act of 1932 allowing employees the right to organize. Further the Wagner Act protecting employees from reprisal from employers for organizing spurring the growth of unionization. The Landrum-Griffin Act of 1959 building on the Wagner Act as well as the Taft-Hartley Act of 1947 which granted protections from the unions. It is these Acts that have changed the landscape of American labor union history and leave us with the unions that we have today.
The working conditions and working rights in the late 1800s and early 1900s were lacking and required some help to make more humane. Before any of the laws that helped reform our nation, working in mines or factories was dangerous and not worth the effort. Secondly, the hours were unethical, as workers sometimes had to toil away for 12 hours, seven days a week with a one day break every two weeks. Workers who were fighting for their rights were not alone, as there were some people who also believed morality was more important at the moment. The changes made were for the better and made the world of hard labor a better place. Thankfully, these rules were not ever taken away and people now live to know that they will earn the money and rights that they deserve.
1.The term "Three Fires" refers to the dominant tribes in Michigan during the early 1600s. The three tribes were:
Michigan State Senate is the upper house of the Michigan Legislature. It Consists of 38 members who are elected from districts that had an average of 260,096 residents. The Senate meets at its capitol in Lansing. Senators are elected at the same time as the governor, the senators serve four-year terms with the governor’s term of office. Moreover, terms for senators begin on January 1, then November is the general election.
During the mid 1860’s America started to change. Railroads were growing faster than ever, factories were popping up everywhere, and the country took its “next step” in its development and industrialization began to occur. Of course like any other thing, it caused a ripple effect on those involved. The development of industries had both great and not so great consequences on those who were impacted. A few of the groups it both helped and damaged were cities, immigrants, and factory workers. The effects industrialization had on cities, immigrants, and factory workers were growth, job opportunities, and the ability to keep wages cheap.
In 2009 the American auto industry was in a dire economic state. Chrysler was in Chapter 11, GM was on the brink of bankruptcy, and Ford’s future was at best uncertain. The demise of the U.S. auto industry would have a devastating impact on our national economy and specifically the economies of Michigan and Ohio.
Detroit, once the New York City of its time, nick named the “Motor City” as it contained one of the leading car manufacturing centers of the automobile industry. As a metropolis for the first half of the twentieth century, Post World War II, Detroit became an economic fortress and focal point in American History. Detroit’s economic stronghold placed the city in a position that was once beneficial. From the surging employment opportunities perpetuated by the booming automotive market to the development, and implementation of substandard housing and the casual labor market, Detroit became the land of opportunity that loomed with an air of new beginnings. Today, however, Detroit continues to reap the aftermath of contradictory political
State Department of Labor as a direct result of pressure from organized labor (MacLaury). Shortly after the creation of the Department of Labor, the Great Recession hit the nation. With the depression came an increased unemployment and lesser wages however significant legislation was also created during that time that impacted union membership. The most significant law was the Fair Labor Standards Act. Following shortly after this FLSA, the United States amended the Equal Pay Act and the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Occupations Health and Safety Act of 1970. Although these acts were supported by the power of unions, these acts in particular impact union membership which will be discussed later in the paper. It was at this time in the nation’s history that unions began to see a decline in membership. Unions today cast a wide umbrella of membership and consist of trade unions such as the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the Laborers International Union of North America to service unions such as the United Food and Commercial Workers. Although their membership has declined, unions that were once affiliated with a defined group skilled labor employees now can be found in almost any industry representing any group of employees.
Employment or labor laws have been developed to facilitate smooth relationship between employers and employees. Employment laws provide rules and regulations that should govern both the employer and the employees in their places of work. Employment laws discuss issues related to child labor, wages and salaries, retirement, working conditions, compensations, incentives and employment benefits among others. The major objective is to ensure the employer does not exploit the employee and on the other hand, the employee honors the terms and conditions of the job as presented by the employer.