UAW Supports Michigan House Democrats' Bold Workers' Rights Bills

Michigan House Democrats Introduce Workers' Rights Legislative Package

LANSING, MI – In honor of International Workers' Day, Michigan House Democrats have introduced a significant legislative package aimed at enhancing workers' rights. The United Auto Workers (UAW) praised this initiative, emphasizing its potential impact on Michigan's working-class citizens.

UAW President Shawn Fain stated, “For too long, corporations have hoarded the wealth the working class creates. Michigan House Democrats are taking a step forward in fighting for workers with long-overdue protections against corporate greed. Every lawmaker in the state needs to pick a side: the corporate class or the working class.”

Representing over 300,000 members in Michigan, the UAW has been advocating for legislative action that prioritizes workers' interests since last year’s legislative session.

Among the proposed bills, one targets “captive audience meetings.” These meetings are known for compelling workers to attend anti-union sessions during unionization efforts. The UAW highlighted over a dozen companies in southeast Michigan in 2023, including Webasto with its $1.3 million anti-union campaign, showcasing the need for legislative reform.

Fain added, “Politicians love to visit union halls during election season. But the real test is what you do once you’re in office. We thank the elected officials who stepped up this May Day — and we loudly call on the rest of the Michigan Legislature and Governor Whitmer to pick a side: join the labor movement and back the Putting Workers First legislative package.”

UAW Local 602 member Jason Peek expressed support, saying, “It’s great to see legislators in the Michigan House standing up for working people by introducing this package of bills on May Day. One of the bills would make sure bosses can’t just fire someone without a good reason. Right now, in Michigan, non-union workers can be let go for no reason at all. I’ve got this protection in my union contract, and I really believe every worker should have that same basic fairness.”

JJ Jewell from UAW Local 228 pointed out the importance of the legislation with respect to labor rights, stating, “May Day 2025 means we are three years from May Day 2028, where a lot of our contracts, including at the Big Three, are lined up to expire. We want to be able to exercise the power of a strike, if we must, without companies bringing in scabs. That’s why we need a bill like the one in this package that would ban so-called ‘replacement workers’ in Michigan.”

Earlier this year, the UAW outlined its legislative agenda for Lansing, which includes a focus on:

• Ensuring robust wages and labor protections for all workers;
• Improving access to and affordability of health care;
• Bolstering retirement security for a dignified retirement;
• Encouraging work-life balance for healthier, more fulfilled lives.

The UAW remains steadfast in its efforts to mobilize members in support of these priorities and to advocate for a legislature that champions workers over corporate interests.