Fox News
Expand
Browse All Video
Watch Live

You're watching...

Michigan lawmaker defends right-to-work legislation

Details

  • Description

    Republican State Senator Arlan Meekhof sponsored bill

  • Duration 4:21
  • Date

Clips

Also in this playlist...

Editor's Picks

Auto-advance: ON

Auto-advance
View All

Transcript

This transcript is automatically generated

That is the scene in Lansing Michigan right now as protesters.

Come out in force in this live picture they are voting right now on this issue of whether or not.

Union members and -- union members would both have to pay dues in the workplace in Michigan -- hugely volatile issue.

Michigan senate majority leader Arlen -- -- oppose this law.

He is in the -- right now but I did get a chance to speak with him a little while ago furious.

We are joined this morning by senator Arlen -- -- senator welcome good morning good to have you -- today.

Good morning -- so this lie is in the process of being passed by all intents and purposes today in Michigan how to get -- change things for Michigan workers.

Well to bold and historic day here in Michigan.

There are looking at workplace fairness and equity.

And it's gonna give every hardworking family here in Michigan the right to choose the freedom to work and have the freedom to associate.

President Obama was in Michigan yesterday.

I he has a different take on it as you know here he is speaking to a group there.

The so called.

Like to -- that.

They don't have to do with the economic very very new -- politics.

-- -- thought about it.

I give you the right to work for less money.

And that would be a concern hot to a lot of workers -- fashion.

Well I would say Martha's of that that the unions are good at marketing and they have the skills that people want to join her -- group.

The workers certainly we'll have that choice to do that and he hears she should be able to do that treated freely no matter what they what they -- to -- You know some people say that -- -- year.

Outside the Republican side in Michigan lost five seats in the last election.

And that you all are pushing do this legislation quickly so they can get -- passed before those seeds are gone that's true.

No I felt actually this is a process has been and in discussion for a long period of time.

The opportunity is here for us to be bold and move Michigan to a place so have the greatest opportunity for job creation.

And have more and better jobs for our kids and grandkids for what we've lost a lot of our kids and grandkids over the last decade were one of the only states that lost population.

And have the opportunity to have this freedom of choice hopefully they'll bring back our kids and our grandkids because I wanna work here cousins -- best opportunity.

This is a lot and I know a lot of people in Michigan feel as you -- But we are learning that there are thousands of people massing around the State Capitol.

We saw a similar scenes in Wisconsin during a similar battle last year are you concerned about the backlash -- and perhaps even violence today in the wake of this vote.

I don't think so -- for the state police have have everything under control they're there to protect yourself protect the safety of everybody.

And make sure that democracy is and this is in front of us and today you're seeing great.

Opportunity.

And a demonstration of democracy where people have the freedoms.

-- the other side says that they accept the fact that this vote is gonna go through today and it will of course be signed by the governor but they say you know what.

In the next round of elections we are gonna take the bull by the horns were gonna get these folks out who pushed this legislation through and we're gonna take Michigan back to that.

Sort of you know cradle of -- union that it has always been.

That's an opportunity that that can be played out in 2014 but I would simply say it's a whole historic day in Michigan the opportunity for workers to choose.

The freely associate and I think -- -- -- really good at what they're going to do and offer great services.

The workers can have the value proposition in front of them and they'll be able to choose how they spend their money.

-- -- Michigan obviously went for President Obama in the last election.

That was sort of an indicator that many people that the union movement is very strong had a lot of influence an election what do you say that.

From the west side of the state I really can't measure that very well we're we're very one sided and that aspect.

But I would simply say the public has -- discussing us for some period of time has not been any secret -- all it's really been something that's always been talked about.

And we just have the opportunity to make -- -- -- -- mission.

Very interesting everybody's watching your state right now senator thank you so much for being with -- to that -- -- -- -- thank America.

You know --

Load More