Michigan Supreme Court

The Michigan Supreme Court has reinstated significant changes to the state's minimum wage and paid sick leave laws, marking a victory for low-wage workers. In a narrow 4-3 decision, the court found that Republican lawmakers violated the state constitution by rolling back these laws, originally established through a 2018 petition that garnered over 280,000 signatures. As a result, Michigan's minimum wage will increase from $10.33 per hour, with a gradual elimination of the lower wage for tipped workers, along with mandated paid sick leave for many businesses. Reactions among restaurant workers vary, with some expressing skepticism about the impact on the industry while others view the changes as beneficial for worker retention and morale. The decision has drawn criticism from business organizations like the Michigan Chamber, which lamented the court's intervention, while labor groups celebrated it as a restoration of workers' rights. The new laws will take effect on February 21, 2025.