Michigan Labor Union article

Democrats, one by one, recalled their family histories in labor unions and reminisced about what unions once meant to the country, but primarily, they talked about their objections to the speed and method of the Republican-sponsored legislation.

From a distance, there would seem no more unlikely a target for this fight than Michigan, where labor, hoping to demonstrate strength after a series of setbacks, asked voters last month to enshrine collective bargaining into the State Constitution.

But in Michigan, where Republicans also won control, those efforts had seemed more muted, with some in the party, including Mr. Snyder, shying away from the broadest, most sweeping measures.

“But organized labor has been losing clout, and the Republicans saw an opportunity, and now the chickens are coming home to roost.”

“This is being forced down peoples’ throats,” said Jon M. Switalski, a Democrat, speaking against the legislation.

Michigan House Approves Union Limit By MONICA DAVEY LANSING, Mich. — Over the shouts of thousands of angry protesters gathered outside the State Capitol here, Michigan’s House of Representatives on Tuesday approved a bill that would vastly reduce the power of organized labor in this traditionally strong union state.

But that ballot measure failed badly, and suddenly a reverse drive was under way that has brought the state to a moment startling in its symbolism.

It is a reflection of mounting tension between labor leaders and Michigan Republicans who took control of the state two years ago, and the result of a change of position by Mr. Snyder, a political novice who had long avoided the issue because, he had said, it was too divisive.

Recall!