Closer Look: Right-to-work laws

WLUK TV

Updated: Dec 11, 2012 5:13 PM

Let's take a closer tonight at what all the fuss is about in Michigan.

The term right-to-work refers to laws that typically stop the requirement for workers to pay union dues.

Republicans say legislation will attract businesses to the state.

Union leaders and Democrats argue it is an attempt to diminish the power of labor groups.

Almost half of the states in the nation have right-to-work laws.

These are the 23: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Wyoming.

Michigan is the 24th.

The actual harm or benefit of the laws is not clear. Each side in the debate points to studies. Labor experts say there are assumptions that they create or destroy jobs, but the correlation is not definite.

Copyright 2013 WLUK TV. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Political Pulse

We welcome your thoughtful comments. Be the first to participate in the discussion. All comments will display your username and avatar.