(LANSING, MICHIGAN) - A Newly-Elected State Representative From Midland Has Drafted Legislation to Extend the Reach Of Michigan's Right-To-Work Law (For Less) to Public Safety Personnel - the Only Union Members Exempt Under the 2012 Law.

Republican State Representative Gary Glenn is Currently Courting Co-Sponsors for the Legislation, saying he Hopes to Accomplish That Goal and Introduce the Bill Sometime in Early March.

Michigan Became the 24th Right-To-Work (For Less) State in 2012 When The Republican-Controlled State Legislature Passed the Law, Which Bans the Requirement That Employees Pay Union Dues as a Condition of Employment.

Glenn says he’s Never Understood Why the Michigan Legislature Exempted Police Officers, Firefighters and State Troopers From the Law: "As a Matter of Public Policy, Michigan Now Protects All Employees From Being Discriminated Against or Fired Based On Choosing Not to Join or Financially Support a Labor Union, Except for Public Safety Employees.  There’s No Justification for Denying That Same Protection From Public Safety Employees."

With Wisconsin's GOP-Controlled State Legislature Positioning That State to Become the 25th Right-To-Work (For Less) State, Glenn says the Timing is Right for Michigan to Make the Change: "I'd Like to Get Michigan Back On the Scoreboard."

Democratic State Representative Vanessa Guerra said She First Learned of the Proposed Legislation When Glenn Announced he Was Seeking Co-Sponsors On Tuesday, February 25th.  While She’s Not Yet Had a Chance to See the Bill Itself, Guerra is Concerned About the Impact it Could Have On Michigan's Communities: "My Initial Reaction is Police and Fire Departments are Not ‘Businesses’ and Should ‘Not be Treated Like Businesses.’  Attempting to Cut Costs by ‘Weakening’ Unions That are ‘Looking Out for the Best Interests’ of Our Police and Firefighters Doesn't Just ‘Hurt’ Those Public Servants - it Puts the Public Safety at Risk."

Glenn is No Stranger to the Right-To-Work (For Less) Fight.  He Was a Founding Member of the Michigan Freedom To Work Coalition in 2011 and, Prior to Moving to Michigan, Worked in an Effort to Pass Right-To-Work (For Less) Legislation in the State of Idaho.

You Can Read This Labor New Story in its Entirety at: http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2015/02/midland_lawmaker_proposes_exte.html#incart_river