Right to Work

House and Senate pass versions of ‘right-to-work’; adjourn until Tuesday

Posted on 12/06/12 at 8:58pm

Following this morning’s announcement by Gov. Snyder and Republican legislative leaders about their support of so-called “right-to-work” legislation, the state House and Senate took swift action in passing bills implementing the deceptive, flawed concept for both public and private sector workers.

Both chambers amended existing bills to include language allowing workers to choose not to pay their fair share of the costs of negotiating their contract. The bills legalize freeloading, which pits workers against one another and gives corporate special interests an even greater advantage in being able to cut wages and benefits.

In the House, HB 4054 was amended and passed by a vote of 58-52 to implement “right-to-work” for private sector workers.  Six Republicans (Forlini, Goike, Horn, McBroom, Sommerville and Zorn) voted no along with all Democrats.

On the Senate side, both public and private sector workers were attacked -- SB 116 and HB 4003 were passed with 22 Republican votes each, with four Republicans (Rocca, Casperson, Nofs and Green) voting no. Senate Democrats all voted against SB 116 -- all 12 chose not to vote on HB 4003 in protest. Local police and fire employees, as well as state police, were exempted.

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How to voice your opposition to right-to-work legislation

Posted on 11/29/12 at 2:22pm

Some Lansing politicians and the corporate special interests that fund their political campaigns are set to introduce and/or vote on legislation that would make Michigan a so-called “right-to-work” state. It’s critical that working families across Michigan stand up to this blatant power grab by CEOs and urge their lawmakers to vote NO on right-to-work.

Statement from MEA President Steve Cook on deceptive ’Freedom to Freeload’ bill

Posted on 12/06/12 at 7:57pm

EAST LANSING, Mich., Dec. 6, 2012 — Gov. Rick Snyder and Republican leadership today announced they would push so-called “right-to-work” bills that include public and private workers while carving out exemptions for police and firefighters. Swift legislative action on these bills is already underway. The following statement can be attributed to Michigan Education Association President Steve Cook:

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Report cautions against education policies that undermine local control

Posted on 12/04/12 at 9:19am

As Michigan policymakers debate shifting control of schools away from local communities and into the hands of state bureaucrats, a recently released national report shows how over-centralization can hurt students and communities.

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Legislature considering school voucher bills during lame duck

Posted on 12/03/12 at 9:24am

In the final weeks of the legislative session, state lawmakers are considering bills that would strip away local communities’ ability to guide education policy, by creating a statewide "takeover district."

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Michigan educators win NEA Foundation grants for innovation

Posted on 12/04/12 at 9:17am

Six Michigan educators recently received a combined $12,000 in grants from the National Education Association Foundation to help support their innovative techniques for improving student achievement and encouraging professional development.

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