Teachers marked absent from school as protests rev up against Michigan union bill Two Michigan school districts reportedly closed shop Tuesday after teachers called out, likely so they could participate in union protests tied to the expected passage of "right-to-work" legislation this week in the state capital. Demonstrators have already started to march down the streets, as lawmakers return to put the final touches on legislation that would bar unions from demanding dues from workers. The move would make Michigan the 24th "right-to-work" state and strike a blow to organized labor in the heart of the U.S. auto industry. Local unions spent the weekend preparing for massive protests on Tuesday, in a last-ditch push to pressure lawmakers. WDIV in Detroit reports that both the Warren and Taylor school districts had to close Tuesday after so many teachers called out absent. Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, in an interview with Fox News, said it was "unfortunate" that teachers called out. "Too often the educational system's all about the adults," he said. To see schools shutting down because of an issue like this is not appropriate in my view. Snyder, a Republican who is expected to sign the "right-to-work" legislation, defended his position. "This is about giving workers the freedom to choose whether their resources go to a union or not -- and I actually don't view this as anti-union," he said. Indiana's had a strong experience. ... They've seen thousands of jobs come to Indiana. Those jobs could also come to Michigan. Several high-profile Democrats, though, have gotten involved, with Michigan Democratic Sen. Carl Levin and House Democrats meeting with Snyder on Monday and urging him to veto the bill. President Obama also weighed in Monday, using a speech near Detroit to call out local Republicans. They have everything to do with politics," Obama said. What they're really talking about is they're giving you the right to work for less money. Several thousand union members gathered to protest on Tuesday. A block-and-a-half mass including autoworkers, sheet metal workers, machinists and electrical workers chanting, "We are the union, the mighty, might union" left the Lansing Center Tuesday morning , en route to City hall, across from the Capitol.