LANSING, Mich., Dec. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Michigan Chamber of Commerce today expressed appreciation to Governor Rick Snyder, Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville, House Speaker Jase Bolger and pro-reform lawmakers for approval of Freedom to Work legislation that would prohibit employees in Michigan from being forced to join a union or provide financial support to a union as a condition of employment.

"Yesterday, pro-jobs lawmakers in the State House and Michigan Senate passed, and Gov. Snyder signed, landmark legislation to make Michigan the 24^th state in the country (after Indiana) to enact Freedom to Work. This legislation will help create and retain jobs in Michigan and improve our state's economic competitiveness," said Rich Studley, President and CEO of the Michigan Chamber. "We applaud the bold and decisive action taken by the Governor, Speaker Bolger, Majority Leader Richardville and their pro-reform colleagues in the House and Senate.

"The Michigan Chamber supported passage of Freedom to Work legislation because it is good public policy that will have a significant impact on job creation and business growth," Studley added. "We are confident this new law will benefit both employees and employers across the state."

"Last week, the president of one of our state's' most successful economic development agencies – the Right Place Inc., in Grand Rapids – said she thinks her agency may see up to a 30 percent increase in calls from prospective employers now that Michigan is becoming a right to work state," noted Jim Holcomb, Senior Vice President, Business Advocacy & General Counsel for the Michigan Chamber. "Looking at the Indiana experience since they adopted a similar law is another reason we expect positive results for Michigan."

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) reports that since passage of Indiana's right to work law:

• 90 companies have communicated to the IEDC that Indiana's enactment of right-to-work will factor into their decision-making process of where to locate current projects.
• 67 of these projects have progressed to the pipeline stage and account for the potential of more than 8,930 projected new jobs and more than $2.5 billion in investment.
• Of these 67 companies, 31 companies have already accepted the IEDC's offer, accounting for more than 3,700 projected new jobs and more than $431 million in investment.
• Six of these companies (Busche in Albion; Android Industries in Ft. Wayne; Steel Dynamics, Inc., in Pittsboro; SealCorpUSA in Evansville; Whayne Supply in Evansville; and Professional Transportation, Inc. in Evansville.) have publicly announced that right-to-work was a factor in their decision making process.

The Michigan Chamber of Commerce is a statewide business organization representing approximately 6,400 employers, trade associations and local chambers of commerce. The Michigan Chamber represents businesses of every size and type in all 83 counties of the state. Michigan Chamber member businesses provide jobs to 1.5 million residents. One of every 2.6 employees in Michigan works for a Chamber member firm. The Michigan Chamber was established in 1959 to be an advocate for Michigan's job providers in the legislative, political and legal process. It is one of only six state chambers accredited by the U.S. Chamber and one of only four state chambers accredited with distinction.

SOURCE Michigan Chamber of Commerce