SAG-AFTRA blasts right-to-work bills in Michigan

Michigan, already struggling to bolster a once-thriving film business, is getting the cold shoulder from Hollywood’s biggest union.

SAG-AFTRA, which represents more than 165,000 actors, recording artists and other performers, blasted bills passed by the Michigan House and Senate on Thursday that would make Michigan a so-called “right-to-work” state.

In right-to-work states, those who aren’t members of the union can work under union contracts without having to pay union dues.

A final vote on the two bills is expected later this month. If approved, Michigan would join more than two dozen other states to pass such a measure, including South Carolina, Virginia and Oklahoma.

That’s a sore point for SAG-AFTRA and other unions that are urging members and others to sign a petition circulated by the AFL-CIO that opposes the measure.

“SAG-AFTRA urges Michigan residents to immediately call their senators and urge them to stop this bill from passing,” the union said in a statement. “The effort against this legislation is of nationwide importance.... Please help to stop this downward spiral that hurts all workers and depletes the resources at their workplaces.”

Michigan was once one of the busiest production centers in the country, but cuts to its once-generous tax credit last year have caused a sharp fall in film activity.

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