Seeing a number of business groups and those that purport to promote “freedom” decrying the Michigan legislature taking up a repeal of so-called Right to Work, so it feels like a good time to thread some facts: #mileg
RTW laws have no significant impact on attracting employers to a state. Area Development magazine noted RTW ranked 14th in location decisions, behind infrastructure, available land, construction costs etc. In all the years they’ve collected data, RTW never broke into Top 10.
However, there is significant data to show that workers in RTW states, both union AND non-union, have lower wages by an average of $1500 a year and a decreased likelihood that workers will get health insurance or pensions through their jobs.
RTW laws also do not increase employment. Seven out of 10 of the highest-unemployment states are states with RTW laws.
When Oklahoma debated adopting RTW laws, a consultant told legislators that passing RTW would result in a 90% increase in the numbers of firms considering locating in the state. Great, right?
But in the 10 years after Oklahoma adopted Right to Work, the average number of firms and jobs coming to the state were actually ONE THIRD LOWER.
Yikes.
Yikes.
You’ll hear a lot about RTW laws making states more competitive and giving workers more freedom.
By results from state after state after state show RTW laws don’t make states any more competitive, but DO bring down worker wages overall.
That’s not freedom.
By results from state after state after state show RTW laws don’t make states any more competitive, but DO bring down worker wages overall.
That’s not freedom.
It’s time for Michigan to restore workers rights, strengthen wages, and get rid of a policy that simply doesn’t work.
Let’s get it done.
Let’s get it done.
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