Michigan House approves right-to-work legislation

Michigan House approves right-to-work legislation for private sector workers amid protests

LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- The Michigan House has voted to approve right-to-work legislation for private-sector workers.

House members voted 58-52 to approve the measure Thursday afternoon as hundreds of union activists protested loudly in the state Capitol halls in Lansing. Only Republicans voted in favor.

The Senate is debating similar legislation. Minority Democrats are offering a series of amendments, all of which majority Republicans have voted down.

Gov. Rick Snyder and legislative leaders announced earlier Thursday they would try to rush the legislation to enactment in the session's final days.

So-called right-to-work measures generally prohibit requiring unions from collecting fees from nonunion employees.