Right To Work For Less

Michigan's Republican governor, Rick Snyder, dealt a staggering blow to workers last year, with the signing of right-to-work-for-LESS legislation. But Democratic lawmakers in that state have introduced a bill, which would increase the minimum wage to $10 per hour, to help combat Snyder's anti-worker law. Michigan's minimum wage is currently $7.40 an hour, and it hasn't been raised since 2008. Dave Woodward, who started the online petition at RaiseMichigan.com, said, "It's long overdue that Michigan families get a raise, and raising the minimum wage helps do that." As expected, Republican law makers in Michigan say the increase would hurt business, but more than 70% of residents support raising the minimum wage. According to the Think Progress Blog, a minimum wage worker in Michigan would have to work 80 hours a week just to afford the rent of a two-bedroom apartment. This bill would go a long way towards helping Michigan families make ends meet. Now we'll have to wait and see whether Rick Snyder will block the effort to lift families out of poverty in his state. Stay tuned.