unions

The week in Michigan politics: dredging, immigration and right to work

Jack Lessenberry, Christina Shockley and Emily Fox — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 12:43:25 +0000

This week in Michigan politics, Christina Shockley and Jack Lessenberry discuss the issue of dredging in Michigan’s harbors, a package of bills that would make Michigan a more immigrant-friendly state, and how lawmakers have backed off from punishing colleges and municipalities for negotiating contracts before the right to work law went into effect.

Unions seek contracts ahead of new Michigan law

Michigan Radio Newsroom — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 16:14:32 +0000

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Some unions in Michigan are working to get new contracts approved before the state's right-to-work law takes effect next month to delay when they'll be affected by changes.

The Detroit News reports some see it as an effort to keep collecting dues from members until after a new contract expires. Union leaders representing teachers in Utica, Plymouth-Canton, Dearborn and Detroit school districts all are working toward new agreements.

The Lansing State Journal reports unions at Michigan State University and Lansing Community College are exploring the possibility of extending their labor contracts to delay the law's impact on them.

The law, passed last year, takes effect March 27. It prohibits requiring workers to pay union dues or fees, but contracts in place before that date are immune from the new rules.

UAW to protest at Snyder's State of State speech

The Associated Press — Sun, 13 Jan 2013 12:41:06 +0000

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - The United Auto Workers and other labor unions are calling on members to protest before and during Gov. Rick Snyder's third State of the State address in Lansing.

The Republican governor's speech is scheduled for Wednesday evening in the state Capitol.

The UAW and other unions are planning to be outside to protest GOP policies they say are hurting the middle class. They're especially upset about a new law ending requirements that workers pay union dues or fees as a condition of employment.

Commentary: Collective bargaining

Jack Lessenberry — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 13:19:16 +0000

There are five proposed constitutional amendments on the state ballot this fall, and at this point, it is impossible to predict whether any of them will pass or fail.

But I do think I know which will provoke the most spending: Proposal Two, the amendment that would make collective bargaining a state constitutional right. Unions are going to spend millions to try to get it passed. Chambers of commerce and corporate interests are likely to spend even more to try to make sure it fails. This is seen to some extent as a Battle of Stalingrad for the union movement.

Fixing Michigan's roads

Steve Carmody — Mon, 21 May 2012 19:36:00 +0000

Time is running out for Congress to pass a new federal transportation funding bill.

The last funding bill expired in 2009. Congress has passed a series of extensions of the old law since then.

A coalition of Michigan environmental groups and unions say the ongoing delay is hurting state roads.

Mark Schauer is the head of the BlueGreen Alliance. The former Michigan congressman says the state’s roads are deteriorating, in part, because Congress can’t agree on a new six year federal transportation spending plan.

“I’m sure I’m not the only one that had to replace a tire as a result of hitting a huge pothole," says Schauer.

Michigan Congressmen Dave Camp and Fred Upton are on the special House-Senate conference committee working on the transportation bill. A spokeswoman for the committee says discussions continue with hopes of reaching an agreement before the deadline at the end of next month.

Flint EM lays out public safety plan, city police and fire unions want more

Steve Carmody — Fri, 04 May 2012 18:36:05 +0000

Flint Emergency Manager Mike Brown says the city plans to work more with the state police, as well as local and federal prosecutors, to fight the city’s crime problem.

The plan calls for establishing Flint not only as a ‘safe city’ in reality, but also in people’s perception.

Using outside law enforcement help is a short term part of the plan. Long term, Brown says the city needs to raise millions of dollars in new revenue to hire more police officers and firefighters.

As strike continues, Red Cross workers prepare to head back to the bargaining table

Steve Carmody — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 20:01:01 +0000

Contract talks are set to resume tomorrow between the American Red Cross and its two striking unions.

The strike that started March 30 has greatly slowed blood donations for large parts of Michigan.

The American Red Cross Great Lakes Blood Services Region tries to collect 700 units of blood a day. Since the strike began, they’ve only been able to collect about 100 units a day.

About 200 members of the Office and Professional Employees International Union and the Teamsters went on strike more than a week ago. The union members have been working without a contract for several years.

The unions say the two sides have not been able to resolve safety and collective bargaining issues. The Red Cross contends health care costs are the main sticking point in the unresolved contract.

The strike has affected blood collection in 65 Michigan counties, from Kalamazoo and Lansing to the northern parts of the state.

Red Cross blood drives in southeast Michigan are unaffected.

School unions file federal lawsuit to stop Michigan law blocking payroll deduction of union dues

Steve Carmody — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 19:54:12 +0000

Four Michigan unions are asking a federal judge to strike down a new state law barring school districts from collecting union dues through payroll deduction. The unions filed the lawsuit today.

Lansing mayor highlights furlough days in his budget plan

Steve Carmody — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 02:55:09 +0000

Lansing’s mayor says a combination of employee furlough days and union concessions are necessary to shrink a $4.7 million budget gap next year. He laid out his budget plan to the city council last night.

Mayor Virg Bernero blames rising health insurance costs and declining property tax revenues for the budget gap.

“We need to make some serious decisions," says Brian Jeffries, the president of the Lansing City Council, "(The decisions are) going to be painful. Both in terms of the number of employees…as well as loss of services…and what does that actually means for the city.”

The Lansing city council has until mid-May to come up with any changes to the mayor’s spending plan.

Red Cross workers set to go on strike in part of Michigan

Steve Carmody — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 05:01:01 +0000

Once again American Red Cross workers are poised to strike in Michigan.

The strike could affect 65 counties in Michigan.

Ten days ago, two unions gave notice of their intention to strike against the American Red Cross Great Lakes Blood Services Region. It would be the third job action in the last two years.

The union members have been working without a contract for the past four years. The two sides remain far apart on several issues.

Monica Stoneking is a Red Cross spokeswoman. She says the Great Lakes Blood Services Region must collect 700 units of blood a day to meet demand.

“If we have less blood drives being held…then that’s going to further impact our blood supply… and it’s already at a low level," says Stoneking.

Stoneking says if a strike takes place they will have to import blood from other Red Cross regions to meet the need.

Collective bargaining ballot question goes before state election board

Rick Pluta — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 13:49:52 +0000

A union-led effort to amend the Michigan Constitution to guarantee labor bargaining rights will go before a state elections panel today.

The Protect Our Jobs campaign will ask the Board of State Canvassers to pre-approve its petition to get on the November ballot.

Snyder signs bill that prohibits U of M graduate research assistant union

Jennifer Guerra — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 20:25:42 +0000

The issue of whether University of Michigan graduate student research assistants (GSRAs) can unionize has been put to rest. Governor Rick Snyder signed a bill today saying U of M research assistants are not employees and therefore do not have the right to unionize.

The bill was introduced to the legislature by Republican Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville.

Michigan legislature passes school union dues bill

The Associated Press — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 21:15:42 +0000

Update 4:15 pm

The Michigan legislature has passed a bill to prohibit public schools from automatically collecting union dues from the paychecks of teachers and other employees.

Republican Representative Joe Haveman says the bill’s intent is to focus schools on educating children.

Going for Broke

Jack Lessenberry — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 16:44:51 +0000

For weeks, I heard rumors that a coalition of unions were going to try to get a state constitutional amendment on the ballot to prevent the legislature from making Michigan a so-called "right-to-work" state. That is, one where workers could no longer be required to join or pay dues to a union. Well, the unions revealed their proposal yesterday.

Unions, politics, and right-to-work

Jennifer White — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:05:04 +0000

With the passage of so called right-to-work laws in Indiana, some Michigan lawmakers are now calling for those laws in Michigan.

Lawmakers in support of right-to-work laws say they’ll make Michigan a more business friendly environment.

Opponents call it union busting and an effort to weaken unions’ political power.

Michigan Radio’s political analyst, Jack Lessenberry gives us a historical perspective.