A news service for the people of Michigan from the Mackinac Center for Public Policy

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Some School Districts and Unions Embrace Right-to-Work

Pewamo-Westphalia and Hamilton put worker freedom into union contracts

… a choice to join a union as a condition of their … approved new teachers union contracts before the … to opt out of their union. Hamilton Community … Allegan County. "My union didn t dig their heels … more

Court Rules School Districts Cannot Use Public Resources to Withhold Union Dues

School unions now responsible for collecting dues from their own members

… automatically withdraw union dues from paychecks … Association, said a union president whose teachers … MEA to start a local union. "They will have … last year. "Most union members don't think … more

Students Shut Out of School After District, Union Agree to Unrealistic Contract

Despite deficits, Buena Vista union contract included fully paid health care, pay raises

… agreed to a three-year union contract deal that continued … mismanagement the teachers' union contract plays a large … lucrative teacher's union contract its board had … with the teachers' union to establish dates for … more

Union President Blames State, School Officials for Problems at Buena Vista, Pontiac Schools

MEA President Cook turns a blind eye to union's role in districts problems

… local school boards and unions. In Pontiac, … local school board and union negotiated a contract … three-year teachers' union contract in 2011 … didn't consider the union's role in the financial … more

Teachers' Union Wants Lawsuit Moved Out of Court

Lawyer for Taylor union and district administration want state agency to decide contract extension legitimacy issue

… strategy behind the union's legal defense of the … and its teachers' union (the Taylor Federation … school district and union negotiated two separate … a separate 10-year union security agreement. … more

Attorney: Taylor District Violated Contract Law to Lock In 10-Year Union Agreement

Union 'security clause' forces teachers to pay dues or fees for a decade as a condition of employment

… Schools and its faculty union might have bypassed … went into effect, the union and school district seemed … between the district and union, under which Taylor … be required to pay union dues and fees until … more

Michigan Company Billed $465,774 For Teamsters Pension After Laying Off Its Last Unionized Trucker

Severely underfunded private-sector union pension plans are hurting companies

… costs to get out of union pension funds, those … his last, part-time unionized trucker, George … bail out the Teamsters union pension fund. "We … employed hundreds of union workers since its founding … more

Super-Seniority

Prop 2 Would Protect Union Bosses at the Expense of Qualified Teachers

… fact, nearly all teacher union contracts require that … several districts appear to value union bosses the most. The … good example. Its union contract specifies that the local union president "shall have … more

Wayne State President's Union Contract Defense Falls Flat

If eight years is good, why not a 20-year union contract?

… Gilmour says it s the union s way or it s the … unprecedented eight-year union contract that was written … not agree with the union s policies or its politics … Because neither the union, nor the administration … more

Survey: Teachers in Right-to-Work States Live Quite Comfortably

However, teachers' union still pushing stories that claim right-to-work linked to poverty, problems

… compelled to negotiate with unions. Teacherportal.com … Alliance. "It's the union bosses who are crying … more

Union President Receives 'Outstanding Organizing' Award For Shutting Down School To Protest Right-to-Work Law

Taylor School District local union staged 'sick-out' forcing 7,500 students to miss school

… gave Taylor teachers' union president Linda Moore … boasted that so many union members took Dec. 11 … they belong. For the union to heap praise on these … the Taylor teachers' union has shown a pattern … more

Union Time on Your Dime

… spent by taxpayers for union employees to do union work on government time … million hours working for unions while receiving federally … spent by taxpayers on union stewards is up by nearly … more

Breaking Away from the MEA

… their own independent union. According to … president of the new union, Jim Perialas , teachers … easily. Expect top union officials to lobby teachers … cognizant that big unions cannot defy economic … more

SEIU Election Legitimacy Questioned by Some Union Members

Union president's decision to allow mail-in votes to outgoing home-based caregivers upset some members

… Employees International Union election, the same group … Faville keeps her post as union president. However, … Jolliffi, who is the union's secretary-treasurer, are … of them leaving the union. Tens of thousands of … more

Another School Contract Extended To Lock Teachers Into Union Membership

East China agrees to contract forcing employees to pay money to the union

… districts approving new union contracts just days … dues or fees to the union as a condition of employment … contract last Monday and the union ratified it the same … better concessions because of the union's rush to get the contract … more

Commentary: A Milestone for Michigan — Worker Freedom in the 'Big Labor' State

Unions now will have to be accountable to workers to justify the payment of dues

… financially support their union or not. Right-to-work … simply means that a union no longer can get a … them. Despite claims by unions, collective bargaining … will remain the same. Unions still can negotiate … more

County's Rush to Approve New Union Contracts Could Prove Futile

Washtenaw County approved contracts with 15 unions but did not do actuarial analyses

… 10-year contracts with 15 unions to beat a March 27 … right-to-work law. The union contracts allowed Washtenaw … laws regarding the new union contracts. ~~~~~ See … Forcing Teachers To Pay Union School … more

Union Rates Not Dropping Faster In RTW States

… observation : The fact is union membership has typically … laws. The fact that unionization is down is true. … impact the rates of unionization. Unionization across the country … more

In Pontiac, MEA Local Raises $12K For School Supplies While Union Health Insurance Arm Sues District for $7.8 Million

Union affiliated MESSA got $7.8M judgment against Pontiac School District

… state's largest teachers' union has secured a legal … $16,400 Per Student; Union Blames Lack Of Funding … Areas Michigan Democrat: Teacher Union Leaders Are 'Disconnected' Coverage … more

College Admits Cooperating With Unions To Sidestep Right-to-Work Law

Macomb Community College locks workers into unions; re-opens contract that was approved just four months ago

… clearly spells out that unions suggested having their … cooperate with the unions in that effort. This … Jacobs wrote: "Many unions are asking that public … approached by all our unions, acting through the … more

Lawmakers Walk Out on Legislatures, But No One Walks Out on a Union

… show up and vote on union-related legislation … right to walk away from union bargaining tables. Refusing … in good faith with a union subjects offenders to … one walks out on a union. Lawmakers … more

Dexter Bus Drivers Dump International Union

School employees form local bargaining unit

A new union was born recently in … Association. The new union is part of a growing … that of local-only unions. What makes many of these new unions special is that they … more

Connecticut Now Struggling With Caregiver Unionization Efforts

SEIU loss in Michigan not stopping the union

… but a similar forced unionization plan exists in … Employees International Union when Jennifer Granholm … election to forcibly unionize Michigan home-based … caregivers in Connecticut to unionize, but there are serious … more

The Union ‘Free-Rider Problem’ Myth in Right-to-Work Debate

The union is the one truly taking advantage of the collective bargaining arrangement

… for refusing to pay union dues or agency fees, … still be covered by the union contract. They … is forced to join a union," said House Democratic … up repeatedly by unions and their supporters. When … more
Union Protesters

Union Bosses Outsource Hostility, Hiring Beneficiaries of Entrepreneur’s Charity to Protest Him

… MRCC members, and the union does not claim to represent … standard wages. The union does not provide any … construction workers are non-union, making it unlikely … ever been made to unionize its workforce. He … more

A Little Graft Can Do A Lot of Damage

The real price tag of Carpenters union corruption

… a big price tag for unionized Michigan carpenters. The … the goings-on between union boss, investment consultants, … illustrates how damaging union corruption can actually … return, the Carpenters union invested $77 million … more

SEIU Tries to Continue Dues Scheme

Leaked document maps out 'dues skim' plan

… Employees International Union on how the union hopes to continue its … significant is how the union explains the whole unionization scheme. The … more

Economists: Business Tax Reform Helping, Not Hurting, Michigan

Union leader's claim about 'corporate special interests' proves false

… four months, a top union leader is attacking … Advocates: Teacher Union Wrong About 'Tax Break … more

Michigan Lost 42,000 Union Members Last Year

BLS report says state faced ninth largest drop in the country

… Michigan lost 42,000 union members from 2011 to … with a loss of 75,000 union members. Overall, the union membership rate in … data is available union membership in the country … more

Proposal 2 Is Not Good For Government Union Workers

...or taxpayers, as Illinois shows what can happen when unions get nearly everything they want

… government employee unions. But members of those unions who think this is in … government employee unions. That worked for the unions in the short term, … more

Taxpayers Pay Twice for Union 'Release Time'

Senate GOP waters down bill, favors select unions

… is extracted to pay union bosses not for their … but for time spent on union business. That s because … councils have signed union labor contracts that … taxpayers to compensate union stewards to do union … more

University Union Wants Contract Through 2023 To Avoid Right-to-Work Law

Western Michigan University's professors' union trying for 9-year extension

… University's professors' union is trying to get a 9-year … deadline that would give union members the right to … represented by that union into paying dues or … which was verified by union members. It was drafted … more

Right-to-Work States Gain Union Members While Other States Lose Hundreds of Thousands

RTW states added 39,000 members while forced unionism states lost 390,000 members

… increase in the number of union members from 2011 to … increase of 39,000 union members while non-right-to-work … right-to-work states, overall union membership increased … 2,852,000. Michigan saw its union membership drop from … more

Union Rushes Contract To Avoid Right-to-Work; 'Put This Whole Nightmare Behind Us!'

Dearborn Public Schools voting on contract days before law kicks in

The teachers' union for Dearborn Public … paying money to the union. The union president said one … paying dues or fees to a union. As a result, unions … more

Hazards of Long-Term Union Security Agreements

Unions push for 'insecurity clauses'

… take effect in March, unions primarily representing … will join with the unions and endorse this ploy. The unions are drafting decade-long union security agreements … more

Union Electrician and Wife: 'The SEIU Never Did Anything For Us'

Milliron family says they don't think the SEIU should be able to lock its forced unionization into the state constitution

… Employees International Union. She's spent her … Ronnie, and knew that the union could provide nothing … when she noticed that union dues were being deducted … been forced into the unionization scheme orchestrated … more

Facts On Right-to-Work In Michigan and How Workers Can Get Out Of Their Union

New website launches highlighting worker freedom in the state

… or agency fees to a union to keep their job. To … articles highlighting union workers and business … features a questionnaire union workers can easily fill … whether to resign their union membership and stop … more

Confirmed: The SEIU 'Dues Skim' Finally Ends

Home-based caregivers no longer losing money to union

… Employees International Union is not deducting money … involving government unions," said MCLF Senior … government allowed a union to perpetrate against … caregivers. This forced unionization was a one-sided … more

Schools Put Unions Ahead of Teachers on Right-to-Work

'Labor accord' more important than employee freedom

… financially support unions. But that s the exactly … interest of teachers unions ahead of teachers … employees. In a forced unionization state like Michigan, nearly all unionized school employees … more

Right-to-Work Gives Teachers a Choice

Unions aren't the only option if employees want protection

… financially support a union as a condition of employment. Probably … teachers about their union is the amount of money … the largest teachers union in the country, took … Democrats while the union pushes all sorts of … more

SEIU Lays Out Plan to Try and Continue 'Dues Skim'

Union blames 'right-wing forces' for end of scheme that locked 45K workers into the SEIU

The union that took more than … Employees International Union, is organizing to try to … voluntarily do so. The union believes the home-based … document that outlined the union's plans to try to regain … more

Unions Rig Proposal 2 Business 'Support' List

Workers trained to coerce, intimidate business owners for their support; ignored some requests

The unions bankrolling and supporting … despite telling the unions "no" and other business … businesses owned by retired union members. If there was no union connection, recruiters … more

School District's Costly Decisions Protect Union Interests

Fruitport school union, board of education, cut deal that pushes more than $240K back on taxpayers

… decisions involving union contracts that cost … approved a teacher union contract that called … 2012-13. If government union school employees paid … critics of government union collective bargaining … more

Proposal 2 Power Grab Demands Review of Government Unionism

… employees. When unions were given the privilege … employees. Over time their unions have become arguably … lightly on government union perks and privileges, … response of the government union bosses was the equivalent … more

Right-to-Work Law Would Help Ensure Government Unions Could Not Elect Their Own Bosses

Public employee unions, politicians, bureaucrats and local officials all fight for the status quo

… financially support unions as a condition of employment. The … issue with government unions is that they can use … prudent board member, the union can use teacher dues … campaign of a more union-friendly candidate. And … more

No Teacher Evaluations On Halloween ... And Other Odd Union Contract Provisions

Lie detector tests and classroom temperature also among the specific details protected in government union contracts

… according to the teachers' union contract, with one … County, the teachers' union contract states that … Schools, the teachers' union contract states that … coach. The teachers' union contract states that … more

SEIU 'Skim Tracker' Stops Ticking

After seven years and more than $34 million taken from home-based caregivers, union contract officially ends

… Employees International Union was taking from home-based … because of a forced unionization scheme that … caregivers no longer are unionized. The contract between the union and the dummy employer … more

While Helping Out Injured Ex-Wife, Man Forced Into Union

Proposal 4 would ensure that people like Richard Nottage remain unionized public employees

… dues-paying member of a union. "My ex-wife needed … check I noticed it had union dues taken out of it. … suddenly I was in a union." Nottage said … didn't want to be in a union. I couldn't believe … more
Indiana union activists

Collective Bargaining Initiative Is About Power, Not Rights

… ability to elect a union in any private or public … who do not want the union and do not like the … employee to support the union financially. Yet … federal courts justify a union bargaining monopoly … more

Is Silence Golden?

Michigan Governor Gives Tarnished Answers About Day Care Unionization

… talking about the forced unionization of Michigan s … care workers could be unionized. Granholm insisted … obtained e-mails from a union lawyer that suggest … thousands of people were unionized was an added benefit, … more

The Easiest Way to Fire a Teacher

Not paying union dues can lead to quick dismissal

… she didn't pay her union dues. According … legal. Though teachers unions have fought to keep … teachers who do not pay union dues or fees. The … required to pay the union a "fee" that is the … more

The Public Employee Union Problem

… focus exclusively on union vs. non-union workplaces. But private-sector unionization is much different … Act, private-sector unions are allowed to extract … more
A toilet at Highland Park High School

District Spent $20K Per Student, Had Rodents In Schools, Holes In Ceiling and Walls

Student: 'We had to worry if something was going to crawl on us ... if the ceiling was going to fall in on us'

… special favors for the union, like handing over district … working exclusively on union business. No … Failures Union President Blames State, … School After District, Union Agree to Unrealistic … more

'We'll Be At Your Daughter's Soccer Game!'

Union protest speaker tells governor that union members will 'visit you' everywhere over right-to-work bill

LANSING A speaker at a union protest against right-to-work … group of thousands of union workers. After his promises … speeches. It appears that union protesters would have … to Work vs. Forced Unionization States Michigan … more

Commentary: Leaving Michigan Education Association To Form Local Union A Good Choice

Roscommon teachers leave MEA, saves tens of thousands of dollars, cuts dues in half and starts scholarship fund

… join or pay money to a union, teachers are at a crossroads. While … the state's largest union, the Michigan Education … with the group in the union; or leave the union individually. But … more

Union Steward Paid $100K By Taxpayers Attends Rally Advocating Against Them

It’s Easy To Attend Rallies When You're Paid

… School District local union drew a parallel to the … Hitler. We must close union offices, confiscate … taxpayers to represent the union full-time. As Michigan … teacher to work for the union. That's the perk of … more

Big PAC Attack

Union PACs should raise their own money

… that would prohibit unions from using local government … amounts that flow through union PACs are not as huge … those that flow through unions themselves, government union PACs still pack a wallop. According … more

Reopening Union Contracts Could Free Workers

Altering contracts will trigger right-to-work law, according to legal expert

… contracts with their unions to avoid the state's … administration and teachers' union have already agreed … expert. "School districts and unions that entered into long-term … the schools and the unions," Wilcox said. "They … more

$100K Teachers? For Some Educators, Unions Are Standing In the Way

Plan would cost taxpayers billions while state already has high supply of teachers

… $100,000, but the unions would never allow it. "Good … effective." ~~~~~ See also: Union Recognizes Need For … more

Cutting the Union Cord: A Cautionary Tale

Former Teamster: 'My union failed me'

… 1, but in that time unions could resort to at … probably going to see the union giving up the moon to … extension of their union security clause," said … workers must wait for a union contract to expire before … more

Right-to-Work: What Now for Schools?

… financially supporting unions, making it a right-to-work … may no longer sign union contracts that contain union security clauses agreements … to fire or extract union dues from non-union … more
Union strike

Wayne State's 'Wholly Owned Subsidiary' of Big Labor

… "labor researchers and union staff to document cases … large organized labor unions. These ordinances are … for public employee unions trying to defeat privatization , … to help assist local unions in " political education ." … more

SEIU Election Battle Hinges On Home-Based Caregivers

Union member: 'I was born in the Mideast ... I've never seen an election that was messed up like this'

… Healthcare Michigan, the union that has taken more … nears an end, a faction of union leaders wants more from … votes. The date of a union election is at issue. Current … by Jonnie Jolliffi for the union's highest office. The … more

Michigan Ain't Wisconsin, But Their Teachers Unions Share a Playbook

… pick a fight with unions . Yet when it comes … government employee union collective bargaining … both states, teachers unions run their own health insurance … the insurance with a union label. Both unions relentlessly pressure … more

Teachers Denied Freedom to Vote on Unionization

Only 1 percent of current teachers in state's largest districts voted on becoming unionized

… school district was unionized in 1965. Like … whether they want to be unionized or who should represent … their districts were unionized, according to a … statewide teachers unions in Michigan are the … more

Commentary: A Different Kind of 'Waste'

Detroit Water and Sewage Department shows problem with government unions

… explains that he is from a union household and supports … reinforces the notion that unions protect work and jobs … government. Government employee unions fund the campaigns … and privileges for unions and their members; … more

Kroger Reaches Deal With Union Postponing Right-to-Work Law

… goes into effect, a union representing Kroger … dues or fees to the union for four years. Grocery … Commercial Workers Union Local 876 ratified the … according to the union's website . The previous … more

VIDEOS: Union Right-to-Work Protest Goes Violent

'Worker freedom' tent ripped down; filmmaker punched in the face

… time in two weeks, union members resorted to … House. Early Tuesday, union members from across … when an angry crowd of union members stormed a tent … For Prosperity. The union members, chanted, knock … more

UAW Member: Union Workers 'Need to Embrace' Right-to-Work Laws

A union worker discusses organized labor

… founded the group Union Conservatives in 2010 … getting fed-up with union practices and propaganda. Bowman, … years. As a group , Union Conservatives is comprised of union members who don t share … more

Blocking Forced Unionization Dissent?

Lawyer: State agency 'stacking the deck'

… the potential forced unionization of University … turning the forced unionization issue over to … students who oppose the unionization. That means … entities want the forced unionization to take place. … more

School District Reaches Five-Year Contract Preventing Teachers From Leaving the Union

Taylor School District board is expected to approve deal Thursday

… that would prevent its union employees from having … leaving the teacher s union, the superintendent … contract will prohibit union members from exercising … dues or fees to the union as a condition of employment … more

Right-to-Work Law Means Less Money For Union Political Power Grabs

… bill, but when labor unions pushed the Proposal … contracts. And, as union leaders noted at the … lessen the abilities of unions to wage expensive and … laws do not eliminate unions. States like Nevada … more

Government Is Different From Unions

The fallacy of a 'right-to-live' law

… similarities between union representation and an … government: Unions exist only where a … Every person in a union may not support all that the union does, and it is certainly … more

Legislators Get Sworn In — And Get Cookies

Union protest was meant to shame those who voted for right-to-work bill

… legislature were welcomed by union members here on Wednesday. Well, … intimidation by a handful of union protesters gathered … percent of the state' unionized workforce. There … for voting against union interests. In reality, … more

Initial 'Right-to-Teach' Bill Has Problems

Singling out the MEA may even let the union escape

… whether to support a union, would clearly be best … ill-suited to industrial unionism. The need for reform … only to public school unions with more than 50,000 … largest school employee union is arguably the most … more

Do We Let Unions Bankrupt Governments?

What the fight over Public Act 4 is all about

… power of government unions. Compared to the … law , abolishing forced union support. Ohio and Wisconsin … overhauled their government union laws, with mixed results … authority to set aside union contracts. Gov. Snyder … more

Why the Hurry?

Labor Board Rushing to Put New Election Rules In Place

… time before a vote on union representation is held … is held to certify a union in a workplace. American … make the case against unionizing, but if the new … somewhat) to respond to union organizers, when they … more

VIDEOS: Union Intimidation, Vandalism At Michigan Capitol Over Right-to-Work

… anyone fighting," a union member in a green vest … Steelworkers, and other unions, pushed onto a platform … occured on Thursday. Union members from Michigan … be represented by a union. The brief episodes … more

Union Protesters' Attack Hits Local Employer With $35K Tent Destruction

Business Owner: 'They cut our tents up into little pieces and passed them out as souvenirs'

LANSING Union protesters caused at … destruction was done at a union rally against right-to-work … including conservative union members, small business … nearby; the video of the union protesters cutting up … more

Recaps of New Teachers Union Contracts

… their local teachers unions to contain costs. Here's a … plan sold by the MEA union's MESSA arm to a … Creek : The board and union agreed to a two-year … administered by the union's MESSA arm. For the … more
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Union Health Care Ballot Supporters Say They Have Enough Signatures for a Vote

Union claimed First Amendment rights in court; ballot promoters now claim it's to protect workers, patients

The union and its supporters behind … Employees International Union has collected more than … unaware they were even unionized. A Michigan … powerful political union from some of our neediest … more

MEA Memo Outlines Regrets and Possible Ways To Fight Right-to-Work Law

Union President: '[Recalls] are the least appealing of all the options'

… the state's largest union in a memo that the recall … school employees the union s plans to fight Michigan's … put forth by the union to the media. MLive … support from other unions if recalls were attempted, … more

Unions Fight to Use Dues for Politics

… is that workers in unionized workplaces do … can avoid paying for union political funding by … should be noted that unions have always fought … worker chooses, the union cannot use their agency … more

There Are Alternatives to PA4 ...

... But the unions will like them even less

… wrong party. Asking the unions for alternatives to … in the Pacific. The unions are not likely to give … government. A self-respecting union leader with any regard … something a self-respecting union leader would want to … more

Video Confirms Negative Union Stereotypes

… members to vote for union-backed candidates, including … speaker discussing the union s political influence … negative stereotypes about unions, and is relevant today … the presence of the union-funded Proposal 2 … more

Saline Schools Last in, First out Victims

… educational experience. As a union, it is Tim Heim [teachers union president] and the … the school employee union first and foremost. … state, Saline uses a union-demanded last in, … more

Commentary: Prop 4 Supporters Promise Programs That Already Exist

Home-based caregiver proposal would lock SEIU unionization scheme into state constitution

… television ad from the unions telling people what … comes a doozy from the unions supporting an initiative … home-based caregiver unionization scheme into the … Employees International Union under Gov. Jennifer … more

Union 'Dues' vs. Union 'Fees': Michigan Union Head Deliberately Clouds the Issue

… interview about how unions collect dues from their … used a longstanding union ploy: She focused on … require payment of union dues or fees as a condition … employee can opt out of union membership and can't … more

Indiana Senate Committee Passes Right-to-Work Bill; Unions Protest While Democrats Boycott

A dispatch from Indianapolis

… join or remain in a union or to pay any dues, … accommodate the pro-union crowd. A limited number … mechanism' against mandated union charges on non-members of unions. Opponents of … more

School Union Proposes 9-Year Contract To Prevent Members From Exercising Right To Not Pay Dues

Berkley Education Association tries to avoid right-to-work law

… right to opt out of the union. The teachers' union has proposed a … deduct dues from the union member's salary. If … deemed unlawful, the union member could be fired. … more

School District Allows Union, Employees To Exclude Material From FOIA Requests

Legal expert says they are breaking the law

… law by agreeing to a union contract provision that … teachers and their union to have a say about … legal expert. The union contract states that the union and the employee can … more

Stealth Unionization: Action and Inaction

… controversy of the stealth unionization of the state's … government employees and unionized. These measures … the "employer" in the unionization of Michigan's … care providers the union Child Care Providers-Together … more

Proposal 2: More Power for Government Unions

… would allow government union collective bargaining … no vote rejects this union power grab. Here s … impair or limit unions ability to negotiate … financially support a union to work in a unionized … more

Telling Tales Out of School

… Bayerl, a teachers union member from Dearborn … a long-time school unionist might see the world … mandated to bargain with unions. But that s not true … also thriving with no union and no collective bargaining. … more

Civil asset forfeiture is one of the greatest threats to private property rights in our nation today. Law enforcement can take your property without even charging you with a crime.

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