Michigan Supreme Court To Hear Major Right-To-Work Case

LANSING (AP) – The Michigan Supreme Court is hearing arguments in a case that will determine whether state workers are covered by a right-to-work law.

The law says public and private workers in Michigan can’t be forced to pay union fees as a condition of having a job. The dispute at the state’s highest court Tuesday centers on whether the law steps on the turf of the Civil Service Commission.

Unions say the state Constitution puts the commission solely in charge of labor matters affecting state employees.

But in August, in a 2-1 decision, the appeals court said the law applies to 35,000 state workers. In response, the commission says the court “invented a new rule of law.”

Unions have much to lose if the decision stands.

MORE: Michigan Passes Controversial Right-To-Work Law

Right To Work: Just The Facts

© Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.