Michigan's ballot measure to put protections for workers, including collective bargaining rights for public sector workers, is seen as a way for unions and supporters to counter a wave of right to work laws. States like Wisconsin, Ohio and Indiana have all seen measures to curb labor rights in the past two years, especially in the private sector. Polls on the measure have been close, with both sides spending significant amounts of money on the measure. Experts say that the success or failure of the Michigan ballot measure will be an indication of how fights around workers' rights will play out.
See "Michigan Vote a Test Case on Enshrining the Rights of Unions", Steven Greenhouse, The New York Times, October 25, 2012