Tag: Freedom To Work (page 3)

The MEA would toss them at anyone.

Self serving labor organizations (are there any others?) have no friends outside of their official ranks.  Those high paying union jobs (not those of the teachers, etc) and top management positions require careful farming of available taxpayer provided resources.  In fact, a 2009 report by Paul Kersey at the Mackinac center shows its overhead and operating is TWICE what the bargaining costs:

MEA is a bloated organization. According to our calculations, 25.6 percent of the union's budget went to representation, compared to 57.3 percent for overhead. This is actually an improvement from the 2006-2007 report, which showed just 22 percent going to representation. Nevertheless, MEA still spends more than twice as much on overhead than it does on representing teachers. That's the exact opposite of what one would find in reasonably well-run non-profit.

So they had to respond, and the Tomcat on the fence as I pointed out, stands out in full contrast to the moon's glow.  The worn soles are flying, and the MEA is tossing them. By attempting to recall the majority leader Richardville and others:

The Monroe resident leading the recall drive against Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville said the Michigan Education Association notified him today the teachers union will support the effort.

"I was grateful," Ernie Whiteside said. "It certainly will be easier to increase our volunteer group by working officially through the MEA leadership."

Whiteside said Doug Pratt, MEA's director of public affairs, called him today to give him the news.

Except there may be a problem.

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.

The unions? Not so happy.  Even though this is a non binding, non directive resolution that merely states support by the commissioners for the freedom of workers to choose for themselves where they are employed, and who represents them to prospective employers.  They see it as an attack on unions, when it is not.  Times have changed, and this is an opportunity to move forward and bring back the greatness the Michigan workforce once had.

My guess is so many folks are so excited by the thought of Independence Day, that they cannot keep the fireworks quiet for one more day. (Its still noisy outside)

I feel that way about the upcoming freedom to work law in Michigan.  I could hardly withhold my commentary on the issue and the grass roots effort I was watching develop for the last couple of months.  These folks were doing more than talk about it, they were planning leaves from their secure jobs, and putting their lives on hold for a better state to work and raise a family in.

How could a person ignore THAT?

This weekend, the Michigan Freedom To Work coalition has been collecting a few bucks to help keep the lights on, and maybe do a little educational advertising while the convincing of the last couple fence sitters goes on.  If you can, drop a couple of bucks their way.  Click on the logo and it will take you to the donation page.  All major credit cards accepted.

And have a great Independence day.

I think for once, the threat of a packed and organized Grand Traverse County commission chamber is a reality.  This time its not about a failed septage system, bicycle paths, or a grant to the money pit of the day.

It is about a simple resolution.

Its about a statement, a reiteration, and a declaration, that there are some people who still have a sense of why so many fought for their independence(and ours as well). That reminder that we have not lost the will to abide by the rule of law. Law established to protect us from the overreaches often brought about "for our own good" and the desires for power over our fellow man.

It is a resolution I am presenting in support of Freedom To Work for the state of Michigan.  

It is a transparent and open leverage of opinion that has no binding end, yet sufficiently threatens those who would hold the leash to our state's work force. The resolution is opinion only, yet its call to put away the whip speaks loudly enough to have them organize an opposition "Rally." This memo sent out to the local Democrat party faithful:

"This is totally unacceptable and we have to make our voices heard.  Please help us pack the room with strong union supporters. We need to send them the message that we will not tolerate this type of activity in Grand Traverse County."

How appropriate it is, that this would be an issue on a weekend where so many of us celebrate the independence declared by our nation's founders, as a resolution. One that is opposed by those forces who prefer to have no accountability, no real representation to the people they claim to serve. Those who would prefer to not allow a declaration of choice.  Those who want no limit to their role in attempts to control what we do for a living, what we make, who we work for, and would insist that the wage we make, (their persistent argument) could not be sufficient solely created by our own efforts.

Worth a "like."  Kudos to her, CapCon,and the Mackinac Center for bringing a little more information forward on this important issue to Michigan.

In an article regarding representative Mike Shirkey's support of Right To Work measures and specifically the plan endorsed by the Freedom To work coalition, it was noted that State Senator Randy Richardville does not support RTW, and that he has a supporter on the other side who agrees a little too eagerly.

Gretchen Whitmer says:

"Opposing Right to Work legislation is one thing Senator Richardville and I have always agreed upon," Whitmer said. "I'm calling on him to stand with me in denouncing these anti-worker efforts and give Michigan's working families the peace of mind that this terrible policy is dead on arrival."