LANSING, Mich. — State Sen. Thomas Albert and four Senate Republican colleagues introduced legislation Tuesday to restore Michigan’s status as a Right to Work state and repeal harmful prevailing wage laws.
The legislation seeks to boost job creation and improve Michigan’s economy, which has one of the worst unemployment rates in the nation.
“Lansing Democrats have moved our economy backward by relying on failed strategies that discourage economic growth and prosperity,” said Albert, R-Lowell. “We must reverse course before it’s too late. Our new proposals will make our state a more attractive place to do business while creating more economic opportunity and freedom of choice for Michiganders.”
Albert is the main sponsor of Senate Bill 436, which would restore Right to Work in the private sector — allowing workers to choose whether they want to join unions. Michigan was a Right to Work state for more than a decade before Democrats repealed that status in 2023.
Other bills in the legislative package include:
- Senate Bill 437, sponsored by Sen. Roger Hauck, would put Right to Work status for the public service sector in Michigan law. Public sector employees have the right to opt out of paying union dues under terms of a U.S. Supreme Court decision from 2018.
- Senate Bill 438, sponsored by Sen. John Damoose, would eliminate general prevailing wage requirements established by Michigan Democrats in 2023.
- Senate Bill 439, sponsored by Sen. Michael Webber, would repeal prevailing wage requirements for public utility projects.
- Senate Bill 440, sponsored by Sen. Joseph Bellino, would repeal prevailing wage requirements for alternative energy projects such as wind and solar.
Under Right to Work, Michigan saw an economic recovery with thousands of new jobs and a significant rise in median household income.
“With Right to Work status gone, some businesses once again might simply scratch Michigan off the list of potential states to consider for new investment,” Albert said. “And workers lose freedom of choice — no longer able to choose whether they want to join a union voluntarily. No worker should be forced to join a political organization against their will.”
Prevailing wage mandates artificially raise costs for taxpayers, while discouraging investment in Michigan overall.
“Restoring ‘right to work’ and repealing prevailing wage mandates are important steps toward a brighter economic future for Michigan families,” Albert said.
Albert also supports several other steps to improve Michigan’s economy — including lowering tax rates, eliminating corporate welfare programs, and ensuring state business regulations aren’t stricter than those imposed by the federal government.
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