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Stateside: Police and fire unaffected by right-to-work in Michigan

jalopnik.com

Two groups, police officers and firefighters, were exempt from the right-to-work legislation.

Rick Haglund of Bridge Magazine said the exemption dates back to the late 1960's.

“Police and firefighters have a special recognition under state law called Public Act 312, which prevents firefighters and police officers from striking. It goes back to 1969, and the person who introduced the legislation was Coleman Young, who at that time was a State Senator," he said.

This act prevented them from striking but gave them binding arbitration.

However, those opposed to right-to-work are still wondering why these  groups were exempt.

According to Haglund, they have reason to be curious.

“It turns out that Michigan is the only state that does this. There are no other right-to-work states that do a carve out for police and fire,” said Haglund.

For more of Haglund's interview, listen to our above podcast.

There are two ways you can podcast "Stateside with Cynthia Canty"

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