Some Republicans vote no on right-to-work

LANSING, Mich. (WXYZ) - The 7 Action News team is looking closer at the controversial votes in the Michigan House and Senate to pass right-to-work legislation, ending decades of closed shop laws in the state where the modern labor movement was started.

Speaking at the state Capitol, UAW President Bob King said the bills were being rushed through and he's not the only one saying that's the case.

Six Republicans in the House and four Republicans in the Senate voted against the bills for different reasons.

Republicans have the majority in both chambers and the legislation is being passed in this lame-duck session.

Right-to-work legislation may have been tougher to pass next year, when there would be only eight Republican members.

There's an appropriation of $1 million to pay for enforcement of the new law - which means the legislation could not be repealed in a referendum on the ballot, as labor unions have discussed as an option.

The bills are not final just yet. Sessions have been set in the House and Senate for Tuesday, December 11 at 10:00 a.m.

Labor union members and other protestors are also expected to return for the sessions.

An estimated 2,000 were at the capitol on Thursday during the votes.

Eight people were arrested and pepper spray was used to stop protestors from trying to storm into the Senate Chamber.