WASHINGTON, D.C. (Michigan News Source) – A new national report suggests Michigan doesn’t work for its residents.

The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) ranked all 50 states in its report, States That Work: A Labor Policy Roadmap Across America. Michigan placed 36th overall based on ALEC’s evaluation of pro-worker and pro-growth labor policies.

Limited opportunties

Report author Alan Jernigan told Michigan News Source that the ranking reflects limited opportunities for residents.

“Since repealing Right to Work, Michigan has not enacted any of the recommended policies that would create a more worker-friendly labor environment,” Jernigan said.

Right-to-work laws allow employees to work in a unionized workplace without being required to join the union or pay union dues as a condition of employment. Michigan’s right-to-work era began under Republican Gov. Rick Snyder, but the Democratic-controlled Legislature repealed the law in 2023. The repeal took effect in 2024, allowing some private-sector union contracts to once again require represented workers to pay dues or fees.

Private-sector growth

In addition, Jernigan argued that Michigan’s 39th-place ranking for 10-year private-sector employment growth can be blamed, in part, on the state’s labor policies.

“Restoring Right to Work is a massive step in protecting worker freedom by removing mandates to join and financially support a union as a term of employment,” Jernigan said.

He also called for reducing government involvement in the labor market.

“The state can reduce burdens on taxpayers by limiting public sector collective bargaining like Wisconsin did with Act 10,” Jernigan said. “Finally, Michigan can look to reforms aimed at creating opportunities for skilled workers to come to the state and quickly contribute to the community and economy.”

The ALEC report ranked Arizona, Mississippi and Georgia as the top three states for pro-worker and pro-growth labor reforms. Oregon, Massachusetts and Alaska rounded out the bottom three.