WASHINGTON, D.C. (AP)-- Organized labor leaders are preparing to target Republican governors in politically important states after being blindsided by a new law weakening union rights in Michigan.
Michigan Governor Rick Snyder signed legislation last week prohibiting unions from requiring workers to pay dues or representation fees, even if they are covered by union contracts.
It's just the latest setback for unions, which have seen a recent membership decline that has made them more vulnerable than ever.
Now labor is gearing up for a new offensive. It's planning campaigns against governors they perceive as anti-union who are up for re-election in 2014.
But first, union leaders are hoping to collect enough signatures in Michigan to let the state's voters cast a ballot for or against the right-to-work law signed by Snyder.
