EAST LANSING, Mich. – Union members in Michigan and nationwide will be keeping a close eye on the U.S. Supreme Court this week, as it takes up the case Janus v. American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

Mark Janus, an Illinois public employee, is challenging a 1977 decision that obligated union members to pay the portion of dues that goes to collective bargaining, but made optional the portion that goes toward political activity.

Labor expert Michelle Kaminski from Michigan State University says if the justices side with Janus, public unions would have to work on behalf of people who aren't paying for the benefits.

"When employees are covered by a contract, everybody who's in that bargaining unit gets the benefits of that contract,” she points out. “They get increased wages, benefits, terms and conditions of employment."

Kaminski adds that last year the average union worker in Michigan made about $11,000 more than the average nonunion worker, with dues being less than $1,000 per year.

Those supporting Janus equate collective bargaining by government employees with lobbying, and say Janus should be protected by the First Amendment from having to pay his fair share fees.

Kaminski says it's important to note that unions are a reflection of the greater democracy we live in, and can be voted out if that is the will of the majority of members.

"We don't get to say, 'I don't want to pay my taxes because I don't like the current officeholders this year, but I liked them last year, so last year I paid my taxes,'” she points out. “We live by majority rule, and unions are democratic organizations in the workplace. "

In a controversial move, Michigan's Republican-led Legislature voted to make Michigan a right-to-work state during the 2012 lame duck legislative session, and Kaminski says a ruling in Janus' favor would essentially make right-to-work the law of the land for all public sector employees.

It's estimated the outcome of the case will affect 5 million public workers across 22 different states.


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The Nebraska Legislature is considering a bill to roll back a 2022 voter approved initiative that would raise the minimum wage in the state.

Business groups say the bill would create hardships for small companies.

Legislative Bill 258 would undo the voter-passed measure, which would raise the hourly minimum wage by a $1.50 until it reaches $15 in 2026.

LB 258 would also create a lower minimum wage for 14 and 15-year-old workers.

Nebraska Appleseed Economic Justice Director Ken Smith said the bill would make it harder for Nebraska working families already struggling to make ends meet.

"This is coming from a group of business interests who did not oppose the initiative when they had the chance to oppose the initiative," said Smith, "and instead of doing that are trying to use the Legislature as a means of rolling back these increases."

The bill was sponsored by state Sen. Jane Raybould, D-Lincoln, whose family owns a series of small grocery and convenience stores.

Raybould resigned her post as company vice president the day debate began on LB 258. She filed a conflict of interest statement earlier this session.

Supporters of the bill say increasing the minimum wage makes it harder on their bottom line, but Smith countered that higher minimum wages in other states have proven benefits outweigh those concerns.

"There are business benefits to having a more productive workforce," said Smith. "There are business benefits to having lower employee turnover, and there are benefits to having consumers with more buying power."

Three hundred businesses across the state approved the 2022 initiative to raise the minimum wage. The bill awaits action in committee.




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A Montana legislative committee this week heard a bill to revise workers' compensation laws. Among opponents were workers who have navigated the system themselves. If a Montana worker were to get hurt on the job today, law requires insurance providers defer to the person's "treating physician." But Senate Bill 345 would remove that policy.

Sen. Greg Hertz, R-Polson, says that helps insurers get the "best available evidence."

Amanda Frickle, political director of Montana AFL- CIO, a state federation of unions, said workers' compensation claims and cases are "meant to be deliberative."

"This bill is fundamentally tipping the scales against the injured worker and in favor of the insurance company when it comes to these workers' compensation claims," she said.

The bill would allow insurers to require an independent medical examination from a provider of the company's choosing, even if that means someone out-of-state. In that case, the insurer would cover expenses such as travel, lodging and child care. But opponents say travel is not conducive to healing.

Niki Zupanic, owner of the Montana Trial Lawyers Association, says that adds to workers' up-front costs.

"Many of these costs, whether or not they will eventually be reimbursed, are likely to be coming out of pocket ahead of time from the injured worker, while they're also working most likely reduced hours and trying to juggle other expenses with their families," she explained.

According to the Montana Department of Labor and Industry, of all Montanans covered by a workers' comp policy, about 4% report an injury in a given year, or 23,000 people.

South Dakota's new governor is making an active pitch regarding economic opportunities for the state. The renewable-energy sector said it continues to build a strong case, including manufacturing jobs.

Gov. Larry Rhoden spent much of March crisscrossing South Dakota on his "Open for Opportunity" tour to hear about promising development, workforce needs and trade issues. It has not received a visit yet but officials with the Marmen Energy plant in Brandon said they are keeping busy. Nearly 300 people there construct towers to hold turbines for wind energy.

Dan Lueders, plant manager for Marmen Energy, called it the very definition of "American-made" products.

"It's fully American made with American steel," Lueders explained. "We're contributing to the American independence on energy and also providing good-paying manufacturing jobs."

The Clean Grid Alliance said the plant produces roughly 1,000 tower sections each year for shipment throughout the upper Midwest. Lueders noted with data centers and other factors driving up electricity demand, he sees more opportunities for his operation. Nationally, enthusiasm has been somewhat dampened by the Trump administration's push to roll back renewable-energy funding, with a stated desire to focus more on fossil fuels.

But utilities are increasingly turning to renewables to diversify their output as demand spikes.

Waylon Brown, president of Rushmore State Renewables and regional policy manager for Clean Grid Alliance, said if South Dakota keeps the welcome mat out for wind and solar development, other industries will want to set up shop here.

"They're looking for nearby energy generation when deciding what states to do business in," Brown pointed out.

In addition to the manufacturing upside, the Energy Information Administration said South Dakota ranks second nationally for wind energy generation. Brown said, for example, having a healthy power supply could be attractive to the health care sector, noting advancement in medical technology is one of the many other things requiring more energy use.