This Law Firm Publication by Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C. discusses the two bills signed by Michigan Governor Rick Snyder that give private and public sector employees the right to either join a union and pay dues or refrain from doing so. The laws prohibit any term or condition of employment that requires employees to join a union or pay union dues or fees, known as union security clauses, and make it illegal for anyone to use force, intimidation or unlawful threats to influence an employee's decision about joining a union. Although the laws will likely go into effect April 1, 2013, only collective bargaining agreements that expire or are amended after the effective date are prohibited from containing union security language. The laws cover all private and public sector employees except police, firefighters and other public safety employee groups.