Each day union employees at the Chrysler LLC Trenton Engine Plant take a break from the daily grind to shop and eat near the plant at Fort Street and Van Horn Road.
In the process of grabbing lunch or filling up the tank, these employees contribute to the local economy, but Gabe Solano said this could soon be a thing of the past.
Solano, president of the United Auto Workers Local 372 in Trenton, said, if passed, "right-to-work" legislation could have a negative impact on the local economy, including local restaurants.
"Chrysler workers have been good for this community and this community has been good for Chrysler workers," Solano said.
"Right-to-work" legislation was introduced in the state Capitol today by Gov. Rick Snyder in Lansing, according to the Detroit Free Press.
"There has never been a better time in history for people to stand arm-and-arm and fight back the assault on the middle class," Solano said.
Solano said "right-to-work" legislation would make it impossible for people wishing to pursue a career in the automotive industry to make enough money to pay for a middle class lifestyle. He said the auto industry could become similar to major retailers like Walmart, which traditionally have relatively low entry-level wages.
"There are people working at Walmart who are currently on welfare," Solano said. "How can you care for your family on $9 an hour. Those that do, my hat goes off to them."
Solano called the new legislation a "shot back" at the union by Republicans for putting proposal 2 on the ballot in November. Proposal 2 asked voters to amend the Michigan Constitution to address collective bargaining rights, which would have granted public and private employees the constitutional right to organize and bargain collectively through labor unions.
Hundreds of union members and liberal activists stood inside and outside the Capitol Wednesday in protest, as Gov. Rick Snyder and GOP legislative leaders announced fast-track plans to make Michigan the nation’s 24th right-to-work state, according to the Detroit Free Press.
This legislation appears too put too little power in the hands of employees IF a work environment turns sour. I have little or no trust in Snyder to do what is best for the bulk of the citizens of Michigan. The article points out the example of Walmart, who, as an entity, project their profits based on manipulating workers schedules and advising them to receive public assistance, etc. Walmart (http://goo.gl/U1pgS) is exactly the type of company that will benefit from this legislation. Snyder has proven he is anti-union by coming at the teachers' union every way he can, invoking emergency managers, dissolving contracts under emergency provisions, etc. I see no reason he is doing this with the motive of helping the bulk of Michigan. There is no easy answer. We need is an economy that bridges the working poor into a living wage, and we do not have that right now, but this bill, especially the way the capital handled the protests today (demonstrating contempt for the public and their right to assemble), is a loser.
http://www.freep.com/article/20121206/BUSINESS06/121206083/Economists-say-right-work-states-lower-income-residents-poorer-labor-relations
He is not for the worker, he is for profits. How does that make you feel? This is vindictive retribution, and hey, we even lost prop 2 to those who thought it would "hurt the constitution" boy were you swindled. He could be a leader and tell everyone to stop. He needs to heal this state. he is responsible for heartache and suffering. There is no shared sacrifice...just sacrifice. COME TO LANSING TUESDAY..no invite needed, drive along !96 until you get there! dress warm, you may be locked out.
RIP Mr. Hoffa and long live the UAW. Fight for what's yours'.........or they will take it away. That's just my opinion, no facts support that he may know........ I was just connecting some dots... ... .......
BTW why not read the following article from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/gretchen-whitmer/michigan-right-to-work_b_2272250.html That’s a link by a State Senator named Gretchen Whitmer, titled Governor Snyder's True Colors Show in Michigan's Right to Work Battle . Her end conclusion is that he lied.
The delegation said they were particularly upset by the fact that right-to-work would allow employees to receive all the benefits of union representation, without paying any dues. “The union is required by law to provide equal benefits to every member of that bargaining unit, whether they join or not,” Levin said. “They’re required to provide equal benefits to everyone. We’re not sure he fully, frankly, understood that.” The Michigan delegation said they would continue to push for federal money and projects for the state, but they couldn't predict how other members of Congress might act. "When this national story really breaks, it’s going to make it harder for us to get support from some of our colleagues," Sen. Levin said. A couple of hours after meeting with the delegation, Snyder signaled his continuing support of the right-to-work bills when he tweeted, "Freedom to work is all about creating more and better jobs in Michigan.
http://youtu.be/u_F3oev06i0