The Republican heavy Michigan Statehouse today passed “right to work” legislation that will significantly weaken a union’s powers. Michigan’s Governor, Rick Snyder, announced that he would sign the legislation which would permit public and private sector workers at union-represented companies to forgo paying union dues as a condition of employment. Michigan, of course, is the birthplace of the United Auto Workers, and nearly 18% of its workforce is represented by unions. Michigan joins now twenty-three (23) other states (located mostly in the South and western plain states where union membership is typically low) with right-to-work laws. Proponents of the legislation argue the bill will help attract businesses to the state. Critics retort it will weaken labor’s bargaining strength by cutting financial resources while not creating an environment for more jobs. Historically, right-to-work states have significantly less union presence because the unions are not able effectively to bargain for higher wages. The message, however, reaches outside of Michigan. If the most heavily unionized state can pass this legislation, might that be a sign of a significant downward spiral of the labor movement? One can hope.