Ballot measures that will affect the future and the voice of workers in Michigan and California are going to be hard-fought. In California, where Proposition 32 would defund union political spending under the guise of getting money out of politics, while leaving tons of corporate money in politics, a new poll finds 49 percent of voters opposed and 42 percent in favor. In Michigan, Proposal 2, an amendment that would guarantee collective bargaining rights holds a 49 percent to 39 percent lead and a measure to repeal the state's anti-union Emergency Manager law is 46 percent for repeal to 35 percent to keep the law in place. These results are honestly a little weird'support for the collective bargaining amendment has decreased by five points while repealing the Emergency Manager law has gained 13 points? It's not clear what to make of that, but confusion around the fact that on one question the pro-labor vote is yes and on the other question the pro-labor vote is no may be a factor.
In any case, the polling makes clear that neither side can take these measures for granted. And they fucking matter. Putting collective bargaining rights into the Michigan state constitution would be a huge step forward for workers, especially in a state where Republican legislators have had real successes in their war on workers. In contrast, if Prop. 32 passes in California, it not only weakens the political power of workers through their unions, but slashes an important source of contributions for Democrats while leaving Republican corporate funding largely intact.
Make sure your friends in California know the stakes on these important ballot measures.
No comments:
Post a Comment