Tag: Civil Rights

There are certain truisms however.  Diamonds are sparkly, fish swim in the sea, electricity allows us to interact in this way, and "Marriage," is between a man and a woman.  

Call it what you want, "pairing," "Coupling," "Partnering," etc.. but its not marriage unless its between a man and a woman. And to be clear, it is NOT a civil right.

On the old blog, Kevin Heine posted a great article on a recent manufactured issue within the Michigan Republican Party.  At the end of it he posted a video that is well worth the watch.

The possibility of Right-To-Work legislation in a state considered so incredibly 'hands off' was too unbelievable, that even the national right to work folks scoffed at those of us conferencing in Lansing were preparing it.  They were planning some help for Indiana and possibly Ohio, but Michigan? No way.

We persisted, and believing the governor's pre-election pledge that if it came before him, he would sign it, daily efforts were made to advance this important freedom, and relief from organized labor's non-accountability. It was focused, and had too many parts that would eventually lead to its successful passage, to give credit to one entity, or idea or effort. All hands were on deck, and the trick was getting it in front of the governor to sign.

Which he did.  And we thank him for honoring his promise.

While the fight to KEEP it will go on for a couple of years, we should celebrate this point in time with vigor.

That debate is whether or not to advance contracts for bargaining units so that those units will operate under a closed shop for as long as possible.  Union leadership, in order to extend their hold on the workers is willing to concede items already won.  Public sector employers, seeing an opportunity to get concessions not so easily given before, is eager to capitulate. By golly taxpayers are well served, right? Win Win, right? Right?

I guess its a matter of perspective.  

For the employees, they get to find out how well they have been served by their bargaining masters.  Being locked in so that they can lose a perk or two, and with an added bonus of having several more years of unaccountability?  A BARGAIN at half the price!

Even a contract signed as recently as November can be reopened and dealt away on the basis of expected health benefits costs, and a college which hopes to limit its exposure

" MCAAP and MCCFO took the offer, he surmised, because they were going to be subject to the health care changes before the end of 2013 anyway."

A few more shekels out of the employees pockets, so that they may remain the property of the union for an additional 5 months.

We are already hearing that he is attempting an end around with the labor leadership, and somehow the words "sneaky little $||IT" come to mind quickly.  The time is perfect with all strategic perspectives considered, and the fact that we need to worry whether a Republican governor would sign such important civil rights legislation is amazing.

As I have already mentioned, it was good to see Devos and Weiser join in the fight.  Now there is another high profile participant in the debate. A statement issued today:

"The Michigan Chamber of Commerce announced today its support for passage of "freedom to work" legislation that would prohibit employees in Michigan from being forced to join a union or provide financial support to a union as a condition of employment. Currently, Michigan employees can be forced to participate in a union and are required to contribute financially or face termination.

"After surveying the Michigan Chamber's general membership (85 percent support), receiving clear direction from our Board of Directors and carefully reviewing the impact Freedom to Work legislation would have on Michigan, it is clear that now is the time for bold and decisive leadership to pass comprehensive Freedom to Work legislation that applies to both the public and private sectors," said Michigan Chamber President & CEO Rich Studley. "This action would make Michigan the 24th state (after Indiana) to enact Freedom to Work legislation and it would help create and retain jobs in Michigan and improve our state's economic competitiveness."

"We support this legislation because it is good public policy that will protect all employees from being forced to join a union and pay dues against their will," said Jim Holcomb, Senior Vice President & General Counsel for the Michigan Chamber. "It is important to understand that Freedom to Work legislation is allowed under federal law and does not prohibit a union's right to exist or prevent collective bargaining - it just gives every employee the ability to decide for themselves if joining and financially supporting a union is the right choice for them."

The Michigan Chamber represents approximately 6,400 businesses of every size and type in all 83 counties of the state. Michigan Chamber member businesses provide jobs to 1.5 million residents. One of every 2.6 employees in Michigan works for a Chamber member firm.

Well done, and good to see the support.

The failure of proposal 2 in November's election drove home the fact that Michigan is ready to become the 24th Right To work state.  The millions in big labor money spent to even further violate the civil rights of Michigan workers was not successful, and brought the issue out into a broader theater of debate.  The Freedom to Work organization (disclosure: I am a member) was joined by political heavyweights Dick Devos and Ron Weiser who are now calling for action on this important piece of Michigan's future.

"MIRS News reports former Michigan Republican Party chairman Ron Weiser and 2006 GOP gubernatorial nominee Dick DeVos are putting the pressure on in the Senate, where Majority Leader Randy Richardville doesn't want to take it up."

And labor leadership is freaking out. Kyle Olson, writes:

"Now the union is wringing its hands over a rumored Right to Work proposal that may be introduced and debated in the state legislature during the lame duck session.

On Tuesday, the union pressed the panic button and issued a screed to its members via email:

"With just a few weeks left in the Legislative session, right-wing politicians in Lansing are looking to exact political revenge against union members by ramming through dangerous bills that will harm school employees, middle-class families and children throughout Michigan.

"Their reckless agenda includes: ...

 ... "These extremist legislators must be stopped immediately. The Working Michigan coalition is holding events across our state tonight and tomorrow night to help mobilize union members and supporters in the effort to fight back."

It's hard to feel sorry for this group of tin-horned gangsters. They were in a good position and they got too greedy.

But we best not consider this a done deal until the guv's pen is to paper.

Your legislator needs your strength. Call them. praise them for their support of this basic civil right. Write them. Encourage them to act quickly and decisively. Call your friends and encourage them to do the same.  Watch the video below the fold to get a better understanding of why.

Update [2012-11-30 10:51:19 by JGillman]: As a bonus, here are a couple who REALLY want you to call them and offer support of Freedom to work. (H/T Jack Hoogendyk)

Grand Traverse County Commission approves resolution urging Gov. Snyder, local lawmakers to pass Right to Work law

Commissioner Jason Gillman's proposal for "freedom and jobs" approved 5-to-2

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. -- Grand Traverse County commissioners Wednesday added their voices to those calling on Gov. Rick Snyder and the Republican-controlled legislature to enact a state civil rights law guaranteeing individual employees' freedom to choose regarding union affiliation and prohibiting job discrimination against employees who choose not to join or give money to a union.

A resolution introduced by Commissioner Jason Gillman -- which urged Snyder, Sen. Howard Walker, R-Traverse City, and Rep. Wayne Schmidt, R-Traverse City, by name to support a Right to Work law -- was approved by a 5-2 vote in front of a capacity crowd in which the legislation's supporters outnumbered opponents two to one.

Snyder said while running for governor that he will sign such a law if it reaches his desk.
(Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIikLENpg4s)

Gillman said the law will bring "freedom and jobs" to Michigan. "I'm glad that the county board has taken a position both appropriate and forward-thinking that addresses a solution to our economic troubles in Michigan," he said afterward.

Gillman was joined in supporting the resolution by fellow Republican commissioners Robert Hentschel, Herbert Lemcool, Christine Maxbauer, and Richard Thomas.

Republican Commissioner Addison "Sonny" Wheelock, Jr., and the commission's lone Democrat, Ross Richardson, voted against the resolution.