Michigan has been assigned a D grade in the Commonwealth Foundation’s fifth annual “Battle for Worker Freedom” report, which evaluates public‑sector labor laws in all 50 states. The Pennsylvania‑based think tank, known for its free‑market perspective, uses an A‑F scale to rank states based on factors such as limits on collective bargaining, legal protections for workers, and the presence of union‑friendly provisions.
How Michigan’s grade compares nationally
Fifteen states received a D, making it the most common grade in the study. Arkansas and Georgia joined five other states in earning an A+, while California and Illinois were among six states that received an F. Michigan’s grade slipped from a B in 2022 to a D in the latest 2024‑2025 assessment.
Key findings on union activity
The report notes that the four largest government unions—the National Education Association, American Federation of Teachers, Service Employees International Union, and American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees—are attempting to offset membership losses that began after the 2018 Janus v. AFSCME decision. Since 2024, those unions have reported a collective gain of 232,502 members, a 3.5% increase, largely driven by significant financial contributions to state legislators.
According to David R. Osborne, senior director of labor policy at the foundation and author of the report, unions are expanding into “new and unusual workplaces,” including college faculty, graduate students, home‑care workers, foster parents, and even prisoners. He described this as a strategic effort to capture employment sectors traditionally considered inappropriate for unionization.
Michigan’s recent legislation
Michigan’s ranking reflects seven pieces of recent legislation examined by the report. Notably, in 2024 the state enacted a so‑called “trigger” law that would allow public‑sector unions to collect agency (or “fair‑share”) fees if the Janus decision were ever overturned or superseded. Osborne explained that the law permits unions and public employers to include a provision in collective bargaining agreements requiring non‑members to pay agency fees—an arrangement that would not be enforceable without a change to Janus.
The foundation characterizes such measures as “anti‑freedom” proposals, arguing they can confuse workers about their rights and obligations and enable unions to direct tens of millions of dollars toward political activities.
Implications for Michigan workers
Osborne urges state lawmakers to resist these proposals, emphasizing the principle that every American worker should have the right to choose whether to associate with a union without coercion or fear, and that their earnings should not be used to fund political agendas they do not support.
While the report highlights concerns about union influence, it also provides a snapshot of how Michigan’s labor policies compare to other states, offering policymakers and citizens a basis for evaluating future legislative actions.
What’s next?
Stakeholders in Michigan, including legislators, employer groups, and worker advocates, will likely use the report’s findings as a reference point in upcoming debates over public‑sector labor reforms. The Commonwealth Foundation’s grading system, which has become a benchmark for free‑market analysts, will continue to track changes in state policies and union activity in the years ahead.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
