Michigan Education Association (MEA)

The Michigan Education Association, the state’s largest teachers union, has lost 28% of its membership since right-to-work was passed. At least one bargaining unit, the Roscommon Teachers Association, left the MEA entirely to go it alone as an independent union. According to Jim Perialas, President of the Roscommon Teachers Association, the MEA was “mean and nasty” towards those that opted out under the right-to-work law. Perialas felt that the MEA should have worked harder to win members back, rather than using bullying and strong-arm tactics to reign in the defectors.

The Michigan Education Association isn’t the only one to witness a decline. The Michigan arm of the American Federation of Teachers has had a 22% decline since right-to-work. But the opt-out issue may not affect all unions the same. After the Supreme Court’s decision, many predicted even non-right-to-work states would see a decline in membership. However, many states have seen the opposite. But it’s too soon to say what the full impact of Janus will be. Anti-union groups feel it’s only a matter of time until more workers opt out of the union.

Meanwhile, unions have to be more competitive to entice new hires and keep their existing members engaged.

Michigan Right-to-Work Laws

In 2012, Michigan enacted right-to-work laws that prevented employees from being forced to join or financially support a labor union as a condition of employment. Michigan’s right-to-work statute prohibits an individual from being required to do any of the following to obtain or continue employment:

• Refrain from or resign from membership in, affiliation with, or financial support of a labor organization.
• Become or remain a member of a labor organization.
• Pay any dues, fees, or other charges to a labor organization.
• Pay a charitable organization money equivalent to dues, fees, or other charges required to be represented by a labor union.

Unions in non-right-to-work states typically negotiate into collective bargaining agreements provisions known as union security clauses, which require employees to join or financially support a union as a condition of employment.