JILLIAN KAY MELCHIOR: Michigan Teachers Locked In.

Michigan passed right-to-work legislation a year ago this week, but like Arthur, many workers remain bound to their union membership against their will. Unions have searched for legal loopholes that allow them to hang on to their workers — which is hardly surprising, given estimates that they will lose $46.5 million a year now that Michigan has become the 24th right-to-work state in the nation.

Some of Michigan’s unions have given workers only very narrow windows to opt out, and others negotiated contracts before the right-to-work law took effect on March 28, locking their members into years of additional dues.

“The real positive effect of right-to-work in Michigan may not be realized for another year or two,” says Ari Adler, spokesman for Michigan’s House Republicans and House Speaker Jase Bolger. “We’re waiting for contracts to expire and for workers to be given their true choice. . . . I certainly don’t think [unions] are being up-front with the media or the public or their members.”