Alexander to Obama: Michigan right-to-work law has to do with jobs, not politics

Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) countered President Obama’s comment in Michigan this week that right-to-work laws have nothing to do with economics and everything to do with politics.

Lamar said Obama’s assertion was wrong and that right-to-work laws help make the American auto industry be more competitive globally and create U.S. jobs.

“Yesterday the president was in Michigan in what looked like a campaign event to me,” Alexander said on the Senate floor Tuesday. “He was encouraging people in Michigan to continue to deny workers the right to not have to pay union dues ... perpetuate a system that will keep our auto industry from being able to compete globally.”

Earlier Tuesday, the Michigan Legislature passed right-to-work legislation in a 58-51 vote.

Alexander applauded Michigan’s decision, saying it actually gives workers more rights.

“The president said Michigan lawmakers shouldn’t be taking away workers' rights ... but it’s actually giving them a new right — the right not to pay union dues,” Alexander said. “The president also said these right-to-work laws have nothing to do with economics and everything to do with politics. He couldn’t be more wrong.”

Alexander said 24 other states have right-to-work laws, including his home state of Tennessee. He also said he wished Obama had stayed in Washington to work on the fiscal cliff rather than flying to Michigan.

“I wish he would have worked on fiscal cliff and not been in Michigan telling lawmakers not to allow workers rights to not paying union dues,” Alexander said.

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