Michigan attorney general says right to work applies to state employees

LANSING — Attorney General Bill Schuette says he expects the Michigan Civil Service Commission to follow a new right-to-work law as it relates to the state's 35,000 unionized workers.

Schuette told reporters last week the law signed by Republican Gov. Rick Snyder applies to public and private workers, and he expects potential legal challenges to fail.

The Michigan Constitution gives the Civil Service Commission responsibility for overseeing public employees' working conditions.

Commissioner Robert Swanson has said only the panel can impose right-to-work over unionized state workers. The commission has authorized collective bargaining for them, excluding police, firefighters and political appointees.

Of the commission's four members, three were appointed by former Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm.

The law prohibits requiring non-union workers to pay union fees.