Employees in Right to Work states actually enjoy higher income, the resolution stated. "According to the U.S. Census Bureau, two-thirds of the states which guarantee employees individual freedom to choose regarding union membership and support have higher per capita income than do the citizens of Michigan. ...When adjusted for taxes and the cost of living, families in voluntary unionism states have been found to have over $2,000 more disposable income each year than in states such as Michigan, where employees face the threat of being discriminated against and fired if they choose not to join or financially support a labor organization."

The resolution concluded: "Whereas, we conclude that in addition to protecting our citizens' individual freedom and civil rights, passage of a state law guaranteeing voluntary unionism and prohibiting job discrimination based on union affiliation will also dramatically improve Michigan's ability to attract and create new jobs and thus stimulate our economy, therefore be it resolved, that the Grand Traverse County board of commissioners hereby calls on Gov. Rick Snyder and the Legislature, and specifically Senator Howard Walker and Representative Wayne Schmidt, to propose and enact an Employee Freedom to Work Act that will safeguard our individual freedom and civil rights by guaranteeing that all persons in Michigan have the right, freely and without fear of penalty, to form, join, or assist a labor organization, or to refrain from any such activity in order to to acquire, keep or maintain employment."
Randy Bishop, Traverse City, a former United Auto Workers member and northern Michigan spokesman for Michigan Freedom to Work, a new grass roots coalition formed last week to push passage of a state Right to Work law, told commissioners he wants Michigan "to at least be considered by companies that right now won't even look at us for a new plant site."

"We want more union jobs in Michigan, we want more jobs, period," Bishop said. "When the pie gets bigger, everybody benefits, including the unions."

Bishop noted "while the only people in Lansing who have enough votes to stop Michigan from protecting employee freedom are Republicans, we're encouraged that Gov. Rick Snyder has said he will sign this legislation into law if it reaches his desk.  We hope the Republican-controlled legislature will give him the chance to keep that promise."

Former Teamsters union members Paul Nepote and Joseph Ferry, and former firefighters union member John Fucik, all of Traverse City, were also among those testifying in favor of Gillman's resolution.

Coalition members said recent polling indicates they speak for a majority of Michigan voters. EPIC/MRA, a Lansing pollster, in May found that passing a law to protect employee freedom regarding union affiliation is favored by over 80 percent of Republicans, half of all independents, and a third of all Democrats in Michigan. The same poll found that one-third of union members and over 40 percent of union households support such a law.

The full resolution approved by the Grand Traverse County Commission, and will be on final passage at the end of the month reads as follows:

   Whereas, we agree with President John F. Kennedy's executive order regarding federal employees, that all persons "should have the right, freely and without fear of penalty, to form, join, or assist a labor organization," and of equal importance, "or to refrain from any such activity."

    Whereas, to ensure individual freedom of choice, we believe that no person should be compelled, as a condition of employment, to: (1) refrain from voluntary membership or financial support of a labor organization, or (2) become or remain a member of a labor organization, or (3) pay any dues, fees, or assessments to a labor organization.

    Whereas, we believe that the freedom to choose regarding union membership or financial support is a civil right, and that job discrimination on the basis of union membership or non-membership or financial support or nonsupport should be prohibited by law.

    Whereas, in addition to being a matter of individual freedom and civil rights, those states that have enacted laws prohibiting the threat of being discriminated against or fired based on union affiliation have experienced dramatically higher job creation and income growth, a benefit Michigan can no longer afford to do without.

    Whereas, over the last decade, Michigan suffered the biggest loss of jobs of any state in the nation, while the top five states for the creation of new private sector jobs over that same time were all states that protect employees' individual freedom of choice regarding union membership and financial support.

    Whereas, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, two-thirds of the states which guarantee employees individual freedom to choose regarding union membership and support have higher per capita income than do the citizens of Michigan.

    Whereas, over the last half-century, eight of the top ten states with the highest average annual growth in income were such voluntary unionism states, while Michigan ranked 50th among the states.

    Whereas, when adjusted for taxes and the cost of living, families in voluntary unionism states have been found to have over $2,000 more disposable income each year than in states such as Michigan, where employees face the threat of being discriminated against and fired if they choose not to join or financially support a labor organization.

    Whereas, we conclude that in addition to protecting our citizens' individual freedom and civil rights, passage of a state law guaranteeing voluntary unionism and prohibiting job discrimination based on union affiliation will also dramatically improve Michigan's ability to attract and create new jobs and thus stimulate our economy.

    Therefore be it resolved, that the Grand Traverse County board of commissioners hereby calls on Gov. Rick Snyder and the Legislature, and specifically Senator Howard Walker and Representative Wayne Schmidt, to propose and enact an Employee Freedom To Work Act that will safeguard our individual freedom and civil rights by guaranteeing that all persons in Michigan have the right, freely and without fear of penalty, to form, join, or assist a labor organization, or to refrain from any such activity in order to acquire, keep or maintain employment.

    Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution shall be sent to Gov. Snyder, Sen. Walker, and Rep. Schmidt, and also to the boards of county commissioners of the other counties of the state, who we urge to join us in calling for the enactment of an Employee Freedom To Work Act for the people of Michigan.