Rapid Response Feedback Report: A Hard-Fought Victory for Michigan Workers

Your persistence, solidarity, and commitment to fairness made this victory possible.

Click here to download this Feedback Report as a PDF.

After nearly a year of calls, emails, testimony, and persistent lobbying from Steelworkers and allies across Michigan, we can finally celebrate a major victory.

Last week, the Michigan Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the State Senate, affirming what we’ve said all along: the House leadership’s decision to withhold nine worker-protection bills from the governor was unconstitutional.

This means those bills, which had already passed both chambers and were ready for the governor’s signature, will finally move forward to Governor Whitmer’s desk, where they belong.

What This Means for Working Families

This decision is more than a legal win. It’s a win for fairness, accountability, and respect for working people. These bills represent real progress on issues that matter most to our members and their families:

• HB 6058: Fixes the unjust Public Act 152, protecting public sector workers like municipal employees, plow drivers, Department of Public Works workers, custodians, EMS workers, and bus drivers from unfair cost restrictions in medical insurance premiums.
• HB 4900 & 4901: Shields working families from predatory debt collection practices that threaten wages and intercept Earned Income Tax Credits.
• HB 4665–4667: Strengthens retirement security for public safety professionals — ensuring that those who protect our communities can retire with dignity.

Our Collective Power Made This Possible

This outcome didn’t happen by chance. It happened because workers stood together. You made phone calls, showed up at hearings, sent messages to lawmakers, and refused to back down when our rights were ignored. Your voices were heard and your solidarity made the difference!

What’s Next

With this court ruling, the path is finally clear for Governor Whitmer to sign these bills into law. We’ll be watching closely to ensure the process moves quickly and that Michigan workers get the justice they’ve been waiting for.

This victory reminds us that when we fight together, whether it’s in the halls of government, in our communities, or on the shop floor . . . we win together. Thank you to every member who took action!

For additional information, please contact District 1 Rapid Response Coordinator, Sue Browne at sbrowne@usw.org or 269 – 838 – 5956.