Obama opposes MI's right-to-work bills

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - President Barack Obama has repeated his opposition to right-to-work laws as the Republican-controlled Michigan Legislature adopted the union-curbing measure.

The Michigan House and Senate voted Thursday to approve a bill barring unions from collecting mandatory fees from non-members. Republican Gov. Rick Snyder also endorsed it Thursday.

White House spokesman Matt Lehrich says Obama has long opposed right to work laws, "and he continues to oppose them now."

The spokesman says Obama believes the economy "is stronger when workers get good wages and good benefits, and he opposes attempts to roll back their rights."

Lehrich says Michigan workers' role in helping reviving the U.S. auto industry shows "how unions have helped build a strong middle class and a strong American economy."