Majority for the People ensures all Michigan workers are treated with dignity and respect in the workplace, have access to fair wages
Michigan is a state of hardworking people — from auto workers at the forefront of transportation technology and first responders committed to keeping our communities safe, to construction workers repairing our roads and bridges, educators dedicated to teaching the next generation and more. They are the backbone of our economy and integral to the fabric of our state: When our workers succeed, Michigan succeeds.
For years, however, previous administrations took calculated steps to strip Michigan workers of their rights, making it harder for them to collectively bargain for fair pay and safe working conditions. These anti-worker laws eroded wages, particularly in construction, education and public administration — leading to higher debt and poorer health for workers.
With Senate Democrats in power for the first time in forty years, workers finally have a partner in the new Majority for the People. On the first day of session, Senate Democrats immediately unveiled legislation to restore and expand workers’ rights, correcting past injustices and forging a new path for economic success. This included legislation to repeal the state’s harmful anti-union law and reinstate prevailing wages.
Putting Democracy Back in the Workplace
One of the first pro-worker policies championed by Senate Democrats included legislation to restore workers’ rights, undoing the law previously passed to make it harder for workers to come together to negotiate salaries and other benefits. After taking effect in March 2024, Senate Bill 34 and House Bill 4004 will restore provisions to help workers collectively bargain — without government interference — for better working conditions, higher wages and safer workplaces. These bills ultimately protect Michiganders on the job and help grow Michigan’s middle class. Additionally, they will protect health and safety, ensuring healthcare workers can put patient care ahead of profit, construction workers can speak up when there’s a safety issue, and employees can call attention to food safety threats and other problems.
“A union is the extension of democracy to the workplace, giving workers a voice and power to help determine their own working conditions, pay and benefits,” said Sen. John Cherry (D-Flint), Senate Labor Committee Chair, on Senate Bill 34. “By repealing Michigan’s worker suppression law, we are restoring workers’ rights, returning that voice and reinvigorating that power, and our entire state will benefit from our action today.”
Sen. John Cherry (D-Flint) speaks on the floor of the Senate chamber in support of Senate Bill 34 — legislation to restore workers’ rights and empower them to advocate for better working conditions and wages.
“Workers can finally compete on an even playing field with the knowledge that the state of Michigan has their back,” said Sen. Darrin Camilleri (D-Trenton). “We know that the true power in our state lies with our workers, and this historic legislation will allow Michigan workers to more freely negotiate for the pay, benefits and protections they deserve.”
Sen. Darrin Camilleri (D-Trenton) poses for a selfie with a union member prior to voting for a slate of legislation designed to grow the state’s middle class and support working Michiganders.
Securing Fair Pay for Michigan Workers
To further support Michigan workers, the Democratic Majority passed legislation to restore prevailing wages on all state construction projects, creating good-paying jobs and ensuring hard-working people can earn a decent standard of living. This will help Michiganders take care of their families and have a secure retirement.
Reinstating prevailing wages puts more money in people’s pockets and guarantees Michigan gets the well-trained, skilled workforce to build safe, reliable infrastructure. All workers have value and should be compensated fairly and by paying prevailing wages, Michigan families are not only uplifted, but the quality of life for workers in our state is increased.
“All workers have value and should be compensated fairly. I firmly believe that the state of Michigan should get back to the practice of seeking highly skilled workers and paying competitive wages on our construction projects,” said Sen. Veronica Klinefelt (D-Eastpointe). “By paying prevailing wages, we not only lift up Michigan families in our state, but we also build better buildings, roads and bridges which in turn, increases the quality and life of our infrastructure.”
Workers from all across Michigan sit in the Senate gallery as they watch Senate Democrats pass life-changing legislation which will provide them with a greater opportunity to fight for fair pay, better benefits and safer working conditions.
Investing in the Middle Class
After passing these historic pro-worker bills, the Legislature continued their efforts to further uplift workers by making meaningful investments in the 2024 state budget that expand opportunities to enter and succeed in the workforce. A few highlights of this transformational, people-centered budget include:
- $70 million to lower the age for Michigan Reconnect — a program providing a tuition-free path to an associate degree or skills training certificate — from 25 to 21, expanding eligibility to 350,000 people;
- $35 million for Workforce Development Grants used to provide employer-driven workforce training, skills development, equipment training and more to Michigan workers; and
- $140 million to increase wages for direct care workers and other staff assisting seniors and those with disabilities living in long-term care facilities.
These investments in our state’s workforce will provide Michiganders with the information and resources they need to secure a good-paying job, support their family and “Make it in Michigan.”
On the left, Sen. Darrin Camilleri (D-Trenton) stands in solidarity with UPS workers as they fight for a fair contract. On the right, Sen. Mallory McMorrow (D-Royal Oak) speaks with workers from Detroit’s Community Emergency Response Team.
While our new Majority for the People accomplished a great deal during our first eight months in office, there is still more work to be done to support and uplift Michigan workers. As legislators head back to Lansing for fall session, Senate Democrats look forward to making continued investments in workers, strengthening labor laws and expanding opportunities.
Read more from the Michigan Senate Democrats at SenateDems.com/press.