Michigan Supreme Court asked for advice on new right-to-work law

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LANSING, Mich., Jan. 29 (UPI) -- Gov. Rick Snyder said he has asked the Michigan Supreme Court for an advisory opinion on the constitutionality of new public and private right-to-work laws.

Snyder said he wants an advisory opinion on the legislation approved last month before labor unions tie up the laws in the courts, The Detroit News reported Tuesday.

Snyder sent a letter to the Michigan Supreme Court requesting advice on whether the public sector right-to-work law applies to the 35,000 unionized state workers.

At issue is the Michigan Civil Service Commission's authority to negotiate wages, benefits and working conditions with labor unions.

Snyder also asked the court to consider whether the Michigan right-to-work laws violate the U.S. Constitution's equal protection clause since "the legislation does not apply to all employees or private sector bargaining units."

GOP lawmakers exempted state police and unionized police and firefighters from the legislation.