Inside MI battle over right-to-work

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-- much the president weighing in.

On the right to work debate during his visit to Michigan just yesterday take -- -- This so called right to work -- that they don't have to with the economic very very -- politics.

Whether -- thought about it.

They're giving you the right to work for less money.

Joining us now Bob Cusack managing editor of the hill is the president right is -- more -- do Bob with politics and it is about anything else.

Well I tell you -- you know these union battles there they rarely -- they're very intense.

And is obviously going to be the future battles now the unions is a big blow to -- you look at Wisconsin.

You look now at Michigan with this -- -- pass.

What Wisconsin -- -- with Scott -- collective bargaining battle.

That unions lost of course what -- labor and got their guy two win yet -- presidential election so but but this is a blow to to organized labor and I think that these.

These protests are just a message to other states listen if you do.

You try to do this we're coming after you.

But here's the question though does -- have more to do with the -- -- unions play.

In the workplace or more that of the role that unions play in electing democratic politician.

Well I mean union say listen.

This is this is direct assault on them and it will lower wages and also.

Lesson not working conditions.

Industry leaders pushed back I mean there's -- this is as partisan as you get on energy issues even immigration you have more regional differences.

These are basically Republicans and Democrats going at it across the board on on labor issues but these laws Bob they don't they and unions.

They just give people the choice as to whether they want to join and pay dues or not.

Again and Republicans say listen why should.

Why should a Republican union member contribute to a union that will then turn around that money and elect a Democrat they say that's unfair.

Com but unions say let's see if you go back this century when there -- you know that very little union presence and we're not no union presence.

-- the working conditions.

Were awful.

We've see this now happened in Wisconsin.

In Ohio.

Were watching -- play out now on the streets in Lansing Michigan.

Nationally speaking.

What what does this mean for the president who won a second term.

In no small part because of the support the financial backing of the unions and -- I think it's fascinating that Obama -- has injected himself in this battle by and large he kept the Wisconsin battle before it.

The election really at arm's length and and it frustrated union officials who were also frustrated with him for removing some trade deals and not seeking out single Payer health care.

Legislation instead of going in another direction on health -- obviously got that passed.

But Obama jumping into this debate and I think that this is a signal he's gonna he's gonna get -- back on this and other issues but remember he's got -- strike a fiscal -- deal.

And that deal is likely to contain some things unions don't like so I think sent back some of the politics going on right now.

Bob Cusack managing editor of evil good talking about thanks so much Patrick.

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Inside MI battle over right-to-work

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