You're watching...
Democratic State Senate leader responds to governor's argument to sign right-to-work legislation in Michigan
Also in this playlist...
Auto-advance: ON
Auto-advance
This transcript is automatically generated
And missing governor Rick Snyder going on the record insisting the legislation is not anti union.
-- about freedom to choose it's about being pro worker in stepping up for the workers and our state.
We need workplace equality and fairness and that's what this legislation's all about is giving workers the choice to join a union and that.
But not everyone of course agrees with the governor state Senate Democratic Leader Gretchen Whitner joins -- good -- senator.
Thank you -- Now I'm curious in that and in -- me if I'm wrong but this legislation what it does it enables workers to opt in or opt out of unions it's not mandatory employment and not -- -- union membership if -- is that correct.
I asked with the governors talking about but.
That's a look at some of the questions you asked him just last night on yourself.
If this was such an important piece of policy and they stood by at the policy of it.
Client earth after two years of saying he wasn't gonna do this when they -- -- of the eleventh hour in a lame duck session.
Locking illegally locking people out of the capital from having a voice in this process and even trying to shut our legislators from from making the case on the other side.
If they really stood by this policy shouldn't it be open and have a fair debate like our our founders and our constitution.
-- -- I agree illegally locked down because that they locked the doors of protesters and the protesters unions went to court the judge said they'd open the doors to you win that one that's without a doubt.
They did way to the lame duck I agree they way to the lame -- there's no dispute about that what I'm curious there was a substance of the law the laws I understand it.
Is that it allows a worker to either -- Join -- union are not join -- union and not be required to join you know it's a choice is that correct restatement of the law.
Well that's kind of.
The -- some of the overarching but let's look at the bill a little bit closer you know what the Republicans did was they chose the winners and losers.
They decided to carve out exceptions for police and fire.
Which means they did not give any exception to our nurses and our teachers and our social workers.
I think you know I'm a lawyer like you are right I think that that could be subject to an equal protection challenge in addition I'd point out that that.
They grew so they did not exempt are a heavy I've dominated women feel this.
I do believe that there is that I disparate treatment here and I think that they're going to be a number of challenges.
It's does -- let me sit by and Stennis now is that appear police officer of our our firefighter you can you reenacted the right to work protection mean that you you can't opt out of the union.
If you are -- you can opt in our opt out of some of the other some of the other Baghdad -- -- is that correct.
That's what the governor and the Republicans -- through the legislature yesterday -- I take it you would object to giving that same sort of opt in or opt out -- firefighters and police in Terrell overall post a loss -- -- -- saying hey if this is good public policy let's have the debate let's have that.
Back and forth last week that determining is wrong with giving the workers that we the option to opt in -- out and the union.
Hey you know -- were happy to have that debate I think we should bring people on both sides of the issue and listen everyone I'm willing to listen to -- -- The big question is why is the governor all of a sudden -- in that last minute.
-- not wanting to listen to anybody so I cannot even my right to speak on the senate floor so you object to the process in the manner and not necessarily to the substance of the law that's something you still wanna discuss all I am resolute and resolutely opposed to this but I want to listen.
I think everyone should have the right to speak.
These guys cloak themselves in the flag and yet it kind of they trample on our constitutional rights and that's wrong I if -- resolutely oppose and explain to me economic go back up for saying this is what I do not understand is -- Is that what why do you find why do you object to some -- been able to have the option to be in the union are not in the union.
I think that that's something that we need to talk but I I am just still goes to what you said so you -- resolutely opposed to them -- -- through in this manner.
You know if if they want to have the conversation about who was in and who is out.
And what the rationale -- and if there's a public policy reason for that.
I'd like to listen and maybe at might change my mind.
But at this juncture -- them doing in this fashion.
In this over this sweeping new why in the post so you resolutely opposed to the manner which it's been done lame duck and been -- at this late hour.
But you're not resolutely opposed to the substance of -- -- you're willing to listen to it.
And listen to all sides on any issue and that's what our founding fathers envisioned when they created.
The committee process and they created the debate and checks and balances that's how this process is supposed to work.
And so everyone should be offended that -- that we were all cut out of -- -- and I say very tongue in -- you very different procedure the -- have a Wisconsin so I take it we're not gonna see the state.
Democratic senators hit the road like they did Wisconsin.
Unfortunately we don't have that after the son plays down -- I would not say what they just fascinating to watch anyways senator thank you for joining us thank you Greta.
