Center for Community Change

Save Michigan from Right to Work (for Less) Law

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012
Contact: Donna De La Cruz, ddelacruz@communitychange.org (202) 339-9331
 
Gov. Snyder on Verge of Betraying Michigan Working Families
 
(WASHINGTON)—The Center for Community Change stands with Michigan working families and the coalition of labor, faith, and progressive groups fighting to keep the people’s voice at the forefront of our democracy, ahead of shadowy policy groups working to further the interests of a few billionaires over those of millions of hardworking Americans.
 
Last week, Michigan’s Governor Rick Snyder apparently joined the national attack on the American Dream and Democracy funded by power-hungry CEOs and corporate interests. Gov. Snyder and his political cronies’ attempt – in a lame duck session overreach – to push through so-called Right to Work legislation is a direct assault on Michigan’s working families and the state’s economy.
 
Instead of engaging Michiganders in an open and honest conversation about Right to Work legislation, Gov. Snyder rushed the contentious bills through the legislature.
 
Strong unions mean a strong working middle class, better jobs, and a stronger economy. Right to Work laws drive down wages and silence workers’ voices at work.  With income inequality greater now than at any time since the 1920’s, we cannot afford these divisive, anti-worker attacks that move the American Dream farther out of reach for working families.
 
Gov. Snyder is on the verge of undermining Michigan’s proud history as the birthplace of the American labor movement and added it to the list of states whose policies are speeding the death the American middle class.
 
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The Center for Community Change builds the power and capacity of low-income people, especially low-income people of color, to have a significant impact in improving their communities and the policies and institutions that affect their lives. The Center strengthens, connects and mobilizes grassroots groups to enhance their leadership, voice and power. We believe that vibrant community-based organizations, led by the people most affected by social and economic injustice, are key to putting an end to the failed "on your own" mentality of the right and building a new politics based on community values. For more information, go to www.communitychange.org