The signature counting will take place in the offices of the Michigan Bureau of elections, but the lobbying will need to take place from the living rooms of supporters of prevailing wage.  Republicans enjoy a 63-47 majority over Democrats in the state House, and a 27-11 majority in the Senate, and only a handful of those GOP lawmakers support the state's prevailing wage law. 

It is hoped that a few more lawmakers' minds can be changed by phone calls and emails of building trades union members and their families. 

"The argument in favor of prevailing wage is simple: Don't cut our wages, don't make our industry less safe, and don't open up our industry to out-of-area contractors paying below-market wages," said Patrick Devlin, secretary-treasurer of the Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council. "Our workforce is really fighting for our livelihoods here."

To find your lawmaker, go to www.michiganbuildingtrades.org and click on the "Our Issues" tab for an easy way to make your feelings known to your state senator or House member. 

“Individual phone calls, e-mails and letters by our members to state House lawmakers are the most effective way to lobby them,” said Devlin.