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Senator Tries To Repeal 'Right To Work'

LANSING (CBS Detroit) — The ink is barely dry, and already one state leader is trying to revoke the Right to Work legislation that drew major protests in Lansing at the end of 2012.

Michigan Democratic Sen. Hoon-Yung Hopgood, D-Taylor, is working to repeal the state's Right To Work law.

But WWJ Lansing Bureau Chief Tim Skubick reports the legislation most likely won't go far because Republicans most likely won't want to revisit the issue.

"The Democrats are still hopping mad, so the fact the senator introduced it is probably more of a protest," Skubick said.

This is the first effort to repeal the law.

"As expected, Right to Work legislation has been fervently opposed by a large segment of the public since its passage under the cover of night in the lame duck session," said Hopgood. "I've introduced legislation to repeal it in accordance with the desires of the citizens of Michigan who elected us in the first place."

Hopgood added Michigan voters have long appreciated their ability to collectively bargain for their right to fair wages and benefits and he believes Right to Work legislation was driven by out-of-state special interests.

With the support of Gov. Rick Snyder, an appropriation was attached to the bill before final passage which means it cannot be placed on the ballot for voter approval or repeal through referendum.

"The people of Michigan were completely shut out of the legislative process with this regulation," said Senator Hopgood. "I will continue to stand with Michigan workers in the fight to repeal this misguided legislation."

Senator Hopgood's bills are SB 95 and SB 96.

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