Snyder asks Michigan lawmakers to pass right-to-work legislation

By Tim Skubick
Fox 2 News

LANSING, Mich. (WJBK) -- After three years of saying a right-to-work law was not on his agenda, Michigan's governor has apparently changed his mind sparking a firestorm of controversy and a big union protest.

The governor concluded the issue would not go away, so why not confront it?  So he did.

"I'm asking that we pass an act that calls for workplace fairness and equity... and that the legislators move promptly and efficiently in moving it through the legislature and when it arrives on my desk, I plan on signing it," said Gov. Rick Snyder.

Tell that to demonstrators, many of whom could not get into the capitol because it was locked down by the state police.

Michigan State Police Inspector Gene Adamczyk explained that several protesters were arrested and troopers used pepper gas to stop them.

"Several individuals rushed the two troopers.  They did react with chemical munitions," he said.  "There are several arrests."

We've learned eight people in all were arrested for resisting and obstructing officers when they allegedly tried to run past those two troopers who were guarding the Senate chamber door.

The governor knew this debate would be divisive, but he steadfastly contends this is not union busting.

"This is about being pro-worker," he said.

Tell that to UAW President Bob King.

"The right wing forces in Michigan, the Dick DeVoses are trying to take power away from working families.  They want working families to have lower income, less security, that's what this is about.  This is about partisanship, not about bringing the state together," he said.

Meanwhile, the Senate Democratic leader wants the president to withhold federal dollars for the governor's bridge and the Woodward mass transit project in Detroit if the governor signs the bill.

"Perhaps those request have been made," said Sen. Gretchen Whitmer.  "We are reaching out.  We are hoping that when President Obama comes to Michigan next week that this is going to be on his radar screen, that he's going to say Michigan doesn't care about their middle class, why should we be bending over backwards to make sure that this governor is able to deliver on his promises."

Fox 2 News staff contributed to this report.