LANSING, MI - The Michigan Legislature has begun passing right-to-work bills in a historic move that was announced just this morning.

The Michigan House voted on House Bill 4054, passing it 58-52 mostly along party lines in the Republican-led chamber. The bill goes to the Republican-led Senate, which also is taking up right-to-work legislation today.

Bills must pass both chambers and be signed by Gov. Rick Snyder to become law.

The vote occurred after Democrats left the House in protest because Republicans would not suspend debate to acknowledge a lawsuit filed to reopen the Capitol. The building had been closed, according to police, due to structural concerns. But Democrats believe it was a move to keep protesters from filling the building.

Democrats returned to vote, but not before they helped open the doors of the Capitol to let in protesters after an injunction was served.

Snyder and Republican legislative leaders earlier in the day announced plans to make Michigan the

24th state with a right-to-work law that would end mandatory payment of

union dues as a condition of employment. It has sparked large protests at

the Capitol by union members and anger from Democrats upset the right to

work issue never even got a committee hearing.





Rep. Phil Cavanaugh, D-Redford Township, talks on the House floor, arguing against right-to-work legislation.

Melissa Anders | manders@mlive.com



Police and fire unions would not be affected by the new law. Gov. Rick Snyder cited the dangers of their jobs and their "special bond and connection."

House Speaker Jase Bolger said he expects the bills to be

referendum-proof because an appropriation will be included in the

legislation.

Michigan is still a relative union stronghold and passage of

right-to-work legislation appeared unlikely not long ago. But that all

changed after neighboring Indiana moved to become a right-to-work state.

And in Michigan, the voters' rejection of Proposal 2 in November

also is playing a role in timing.

Rep. Lisa Posthumus Lyons, R-Alto, said the bill was "history in the making."

Said Rep. Mike Shirkey, R-Clarklake: "The citizens of Michigan have made it perfectly clear they want a change in Michigan, they want us to continue reinventing." He said it was "pro-family" and even "pro-union."

Rep. Vicki Barnett, D-Farmington Hills, said the process for passing the laws was unfair because it has not included committee hearings or other typical steps. "What bothers me most today is this bill was not discussed ahead of time," she said.

Rep. Kate Segal, D-Battle Creek, complained that Republicans ignored a court ordered injunction to open the building for almost an hour. "They are forcing through a vote on a bill that they have not allowed the people in since at least 1 today. This is the people’s house, they did a bill that they didn’t have a committee on, there were no hearings on…we are standing up for democracy and the people of this state."

The Michigan Chamber of Commerce came out earlier this week for what's now being called "Freedom to Work": "We support this legislation because it is good public policy that will protect all employees from being forced to join a union and pay dues against their will," Jim Holcomb, senior vice president and general counsel for the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, said in a statement. "It is important to understand that Freedom to Work legislation is allowed under federal law and does not prohibit a union's right to exist or prevent collective bargaining – it just gives every employee the ability to decide for themselves if joining and financially supporting a union is the right choice for them."

The vote was generally along party lines but six Republicans voted against House Bill 4054: Ed McBroom of Vulcan, Ken Horn of Frankenmuth, Anthony Forlini of Harrison Township, Ken Goike of Ray, Patrick Somerville of New Boston and Dale Zorn of Ida.

Protesters entered the Capitol, after an injunction forced it open. Watch their reaction in the video below.