LANSING – Michigan becoming a right-to-work state is either a positive development for the state’s workers, businesses and families, or an attack on workers wrought by extremist legislators bent on vengeance for Republican losses at the November polls, the position one accepts being dependent on where one stands on the political and business divide.

Businesses and conservative groups hailed first the announcement by Governor Rick Snyder that he was embracing right-to-work, and then the Legislature taking the first steps to making the provision law.

Labor and liberals attacked the move, saying Snyder had broken his promise not to consider the issue, and that the legislation would only lead to lower incomes for workers.

“The birthplace of the UAW and the state with the fifth highest percentage of union workers in the country has taken the first step towards worker freedom,” said Vincent Venuccio, labor policy director for the Midland-based Mackinac Center for Public Policy. “Right-to-work will not affect labor unions except that they could not force workers out who do not support them and could not force individuals to support their political agendas.”

Zack Pohl, executive director for Progress Michigan, said passing the first bills was a “sad day” for Michigan.

He also blasted the fact the bills were passed with no public hearings or committee action, saying “ramming” the bills through was a sad day for Democracy.

The Michigan Chamber of Commerce, which helped precipitate this week’s action by coming out on Monday in support of a right-to-work bill, applauded the legislation, saying its passage would help “create and retain jobs and improve our state’s economic competitiveness.”

Also hailing the action was the Michigan Manufacturers Association, which said the bills will “yield positive results for Michigan businesses, workers and families.”

And the Associated Builders and Contractors of Michigan said the measure will help strengthen the construction industry in the state.

But the AFL-CIO called the move a corporate power grab.

And the Oakland County Democratic Party called the move a right-wing attack that would only net workers the right to work for less money.

U.S. Sen. Carl Levin (D-Detroit) called the move a “destructive step.” He urged Snyder to reconsider the proposal “which will splinter our state and do so much harm to its working families.”

This story was provided by Gongwer News Service. To subscribe, click on Gongwer.Com