Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed legislation impacting thousands of workers in Michigan into law. The newly signed bills, named the ‘Restoring Workers’ Rights’ package, repeals the right-to-work law, under which an employee couldn’t be required to pay union dues as part of their employment. Michigan is the first state in more than 50 years to repeal a right-to-work law.
The legislation also reinstated Michigan’s prevailing wage law, which states all workers on contracts to build roads, bridges, and schools, must be paid the prevailing wage in the area where the project occurs.
The bills did not receive enough support in the legislature for immediate effect and are expected to go into effect by April 2024.