Tag: POJ

The union-backed proposal known as "Protect Our Jobs" has mostly been sold as enshrining collective bargaining privileges into the Michigan Constitution and fending off a right-to-work law that could be passed at some point in the future.

These points are being debated by both sides, but the main effect of the POJA initiative being passed by voters in November is far less known and would do far more damage than either of the typically discussed positions.

Tucked into the middle, part of the union petition reads, "No existing or future law of the state or its political subdivisions shall abridge, impair or limit" unions' ability to "negotiate in good faith regarding wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment. ... "

In short: Aside from a couple exceptions, no state law past, present or future could limit what government union officials could win in labor contracts.

Rest here

Many might have missed this.  Some things need to be reported a little differently:

"Despite repeated claims from POJ spokesman Dan Lijana in statements to the media, from union attorney Andrew Nickelhoff in court and in legal filings, and from the Michigan Democratic Party on a recent television commercial that "nearly 700,000" signatures were submitted to support the union-boss ballot proposal, according to the official staff report from the Michigan Secretary of State only 554,375 signatures were submitted.  Elections staff further estimated that fewer than 490,000 of those signatures were valid."

OK never mind that.

At least POJ has the backing of the larger business community as a whole. I mean even when you take out the hobby businesses of labor boss wives, the liquor depots, other businesses on special 'insurance' plans, and tattoo parlors, you still would be close to the majority of business owners wanting a union takeover of our government, right? Heck, as POJ reports:

"Today, the Protect Our Jobs campaign announced that more than 500 small business owners across Michigan support the right of working families to collectively bargain.

"Michigan's working families are the backbone of my business," said Torry Banks, owner of Art of Rugs in Detroit. "When they can negotiate a fair day's pay for a fair day's work, it improves my bottom line."

...

Small businesses feel the pinch when corporate special interests ship jobs overseas.

"Collective bargaining lifts wages for everyone and when working families have more income, they spend it at small businesses in their communities," said Mary Apps, owner of Fraser Flower and Gifts. "That helps us invest in our businesses and the surrounding community, strengthening our ties."

So is their adding machine.

Given the 377 "endorsements" listed on their FULL Listing.(I have saved a list for reference in excel format) The 500 figure is somewhat like a presidential mileage mandate.  "YOU ARE 500, DARN YOU!"  and poof.

You know, the one proposed by the POJ group?

Citizens Protecting Michigan's Constitution (CPMC)in a press release today warned about far-reaching effects and unintended consequences of the proposed hijacking of the constitution being hidden from voters by outside special interest groups behind the proposal. In a confusing manner, the initiative has effects that could corkscrew into all manner of current law.  According to CPMC:

"Among the proposal's unintended consequences is a likely repeal of Public Act 312, Michigan's "binding arbitration" law enjoyed by police and firefighters unions during contract negotiations.

Public Act 312 (PA 312) establishes a procedure by which contract negotiations between a public entity and a union representing police or firefighters may be submitted to binding arbitration for resolution.  PA 312 provides for time limits within which a final decision must be made and establishes a number of factors arbitrators must consider in reaching a decision - particularly with regard to compensation.  It also prohibits strikes and provides for limited judicial review.