More protests after Mich. right-to-work action

12/12/2012
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Protesters hold a silent protest in Lansing, Mich., Wednesday, a day after thousands of protesters rallied on the grounds as lawmakers pushed final versions of right-to-work legislation. The tape over their mouths demonstrates how Gov. Rick Snyder and his allies have silenced Michigan’s middle class, and effectively cut the wages of Michiganders by $1,500.
Protesters hold a silent protest in Lansing, Mich., Wednesday, a day after thousands of protesters rallied on the grounds as lawmakers pushed final versions of right-to-work legislation. The tape over their mouths demonstrates how Gov. Rick Snyder and his allies have silenced Michigan’s middle class, and effectively cut the wages of Michiganders by $1,500.

LANSING, Mich. — Protests are taking place a day after Republicans converted Michigan from a seemingly impregnable fortress of organized labor into a right-to-work state.

Protesters covered their mouths with tape Wednesday in Lansing with the words “$1,500 less” written on it in reference to wage cuts they expect. Silent protests also took place in Saginaw and were planned elsewhere.

In Detroit, dozens of noisy protesters entered a state of Michigan office building to voice their opposition to right-to-work.

The state House swiftly approved two bills reducing unions’ strength Tuesday, one dealing with private-sector workers and the other with public employees, as thousands of furious protesters at the state Capitol roared in vain.

Republican Gov. Rick Snyder signed the measures into law within hours, calling them “pro-worker and pro-Michigan.”