ABC of Michigan Successfully Fights to Prevent Construction Exemption from Right to Work

ABC of Michigan was successful in lobbying efforts to ensure that the construction industry was not carved-out from Right-to-Work in Michigan.

In the week leading up to the historic vote making Michigan a Right to Work state, there was a serious effort from the building trades unions and some lawmakers to deny Michigan's construction industry right to work protections.

"This was one of the largest lobbying efforts from ABC in quite some time," said ABC of Michigan president Chris Fisher. "We were up against tremendous pressure and fortunately we were able to protect the merit shop."

ABC argued that a carve out was not only unfair, but illegal, and that such carve outs would make it difficult for any right-to-work law to withstand a court challenge. ABC also cited concerns that a carve-out would violate the equal protection clause of the First Amendment.

"At the end of the day we prevailed and now all industries in Michigan, including construction, will benefit and grow as workers are provided the freedom to choose whether or not they want to affiliate with a union," concluded Fisher.

A memo to legislative leaders and Governor Snyder from ABC of Michigan may be viewed here: ABC Memo to Legislative Leaders and Governor Snyder