Michigan’s repeal of worker protections is a cautionary tale for Arizona

Last month, workers in Michigan faced an unfortunate choice: pay a union boss up to two percent of your paycheck or walk away from your job. With the repeal of Michigan’s right-to-work law in 2023, all private sector workers in Michigan will have to pay union agency fees, whether they are card-carrying union members or not. 

The Great Lake State may seem a far distance from the Grand Canyon and Sonoran Desert, but union-driven policy could deal a similar blow to working Arizonans this fall. Michigan’s repeal of worker protections should serve as a cautionary tale for Arizona. 

In this economy, inflation is already robbing workers’ paychecks and making it harder for mom-and-pop shops to keep their costs competitive. A ballot initiative to reverse Arizona’s right-to-work status is gaining steam, threatening the prosperity of hardworking Arizonans. 

For nearly 80 years, Arizona has been a right-to-work state. Thanks to Article 25 of our state’s constitution and state statute, Arizona workers have been protected from mandatory union membership as a condition of employment. Said another way: under current law, Arizonans can pursue careers and opportunities without being forced to pay union dues. 

With union membership as an option, not a requirement, Arizona’s current laws allow market forces to play out between unions and employees. Our state’s current right-to-work laws have pushed union bosses to be more conscious of the needs of their members and demonstrate value to non-union workers. 

If this initiative passes, those market forces get thrown out of the window. By moving our state to have union membership as a mandatory part of employment, Arizonans will see fewer jobs, slashed paychecks, and less competition. In fact, according to one estimate, repealing our state’s right-to-work protections would impose anywhere between $15 to $18 billion of additional costs on Arizona companies. 

According to another study, 101,000 Arizonans work at unionized businesses. Should voters support the ballot initiative, those employees would immediately be forced to pay union dues or lose their jobs. And with such a clear financial incentive, coordinated efforts across the state to force unionization in all types of workplaces and industries would likely ensue. 

Voters should ask themselves, why should a worker have to give up two percent of their paycheck to line the pocket of a Union boss? 

Many employees participate in unions and feel their representation at the negotiating table is worth the cost of union dues. But some would prefer to negotiate the terms of their employment on their own terms and keep their full earnings. 

In the 27 states with right-to-work laws, we’ve seen a tremendous record of protecting employees, bolstering workforces, and supporting greater economic development. Study after study demonstrates how employees and employers alike benefit from right-to-work protections, from boosted manufacturing employment to lower income inequality. According to the most recent ALEC Laffer State Economic Competitiveness Index, Arizona ranks among the top three states in the nation for “economic performance” and “economic outlook.” 

Arizona is one of the fastest growing states in the nation. Many have worked hard to design state policy that attracts talent and investment, making it easier for Main Street to do business and create new employment opportunities for workers. 

Voters should protect workers’ choice this Fall and reject efforts to repeal our state’s right-to-work law. 

Chad Heinrich is the Arizona state director for the National Federation of Independent Business. He wrote tis for the Arizona Capitol Times.