12/12/12 - Two local women representing opposite sides of the political spectrum in Livingston County are making their voices heard about right-to-work legislation signed into law Tuesday. Republicans feel the laws will help Michigan on its road to recovery but Democrats say itâs a sad day for what was one of the most union-friendly states in the country. President of the Republican Womenâs Club of Livingston County Debi Drick also serves as Chief of Staff for Senator Mark Jansen, who represents the 28th District in Kent County. Drick says the changes may take some time to digest but believes unions will better serve their members through the increased competition. She says union members from other right-to-work states who testified before the legislature were very clear in expressing that they felt services were improved to members because of competition for the first time. Chairwoman of the Livingston County Democratic Party Judy Daubenmier says Snyder campaigned as a moderate but has now shown his true colors and really undermined the middle class, which has been built with the efforts of working men and women. Daubenmier says unions fight for things that benefit everyone such as protections in the workplace, minimum wage, overtime, unemployment and workers compensation, whether in a union or not. She says the legislation legalizes âgetting something for nothingâ and undermines the ability of the unions to represent working people, bargain for them and defend their rights but there is also now a lot of determination to make those responsible pay at the ballot box in 2014. (JK)
↧