Michigan high court still quiet on right-to-work

Michigan Supreme Court wants more input before deciding whether to review right-to-work law

5/4/2013
ASSOCIATED PRESS

DETROIT — The Michigan Supreme Court still hasn’t decided to offer its view on the state’s right-to-work law.

The court on Friday asked the state’s solicitor general, John Bursch, to weigh in on Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder’s 3-month-old request to settle the legality of a law that drew thousands of protesters to the Capitol last year.

The law allows workers in Michigan to stop paying union dues if they choose.

Mr. Snyder wants the Supreme Court to decide whether the law applies to state employees who belong to unions and are under the authority of the Michigan Civil Service Commission. Contracts expire this year.

The governor said an opinion from the state’s highest court might prevent litigation in other courts. Many justices seem to be in no hurry, although not all.

“I would accommodate without further delay his request for an advisory opinion, not because this is or should be a compliant court, but because it is and should be a responsible court,” Justice Stephen Markman said.