Reps. Byrum, Accavitti, Sheltrown, McConico, Sak, Spade, Anderson, Bieda, Farrah, Adamini, Dennis, Plakas, Zelenko, Minore, Wojno, O'Neil, Stallworth, Waters, Brown, Phillips, Law, Hopgood, Kolb, Meisner, Clack, Condino, Gieleghem, Gillard, Gleason, Hood, Jamnick, Lipsey, Pumford, Vagnozzi, Elkins and Woodward offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 258.

            A resolution to condemn remarks made by Betsy DeVos saying Michigan workers' wages are too high and calling for right-to-work laws.

            Whereas, In remarks that are disturbing to our state's working families, the Chairman of the Michigan Republican Committee has gone on record as believing that the wage levels for Michigan workers are too high and that Michigan should become a right-to-work state.  These statements indicate great insensitivity to the lives of our citizens and a disregard for the some of the most significant lessons of modern Michigan history; and

            Whereas, In a press release, Betsy DeVos said high wages were central to the state's economic problems, including the loss of jobs.  While it is true that the $2 per hour wages of Mexico create an unfair playing field for workers in Michigan, the families that work in Michigan strongly feel that being a state where workers are fairly paid for their work should be a prime goal.  In discussing this matter, it is relevant to note that our workers are among the most productive in the world; and

            Whereas, The head of the Michigan Republican State Committee clearly believes that it is in the best interest of our state to have its people work for low wages and without unions.  How this scenario would help the situation of most our citizens is difficult to imagine; and

            Whereas, Chairman DeVos's call for right-to-work laws is an affront to people familiar with the role that unions have played in shaping our country, especially during the twentieth century.  Safety in the workplace, the rise of the middle class, and opportunities for women and minorities have all been advanced dramatically because of organized labor.  Michigan has been the site of some of the fiercest battles, where workers stood together to achieve better working conditions, wages, and fair treatment.  Clearly, Americans of all background would do well to consider what life in this country would truly be like without workers standing up for themselves; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we condemn remarks made by Betsy DeVos saying Michigan workers' wages are too high and calling for right-to-work laws; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Michigan Republican State Committee.