Tag: labor (page 3)

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.

Voters, Job Providers ask Court of Appeals to Protect Michigan's Constitution

Lansing, MI, August22, 2012-- Taxpayers and job providers asked the state Court of Appeals to protect Michigan's Constitution by keeping an intentionally deceptive attempt by union bosses to hijack Michigan's constitution off the November ballot.

"Union bosses and out of state special interests are dropping a deceptive Pandora's box in front of Michigan voters and begging them to open it," said Jim Holcomb, J.D., Senior Vice President and General Counsel of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce.  "The union lawyers behind this deceptive proposal freely admit they don't know how many laws their scheme will overturn, how many constitutional provisions it will rewrite, and what the consequences of their unconstitutional proposal will even be. That approach is reckless, deceptive and unconstitutional.  Voters, taxpayers and job providers have had enough of these special interest gimmicks and attempts to hijack their constitution."

And that is the point.  A solidified, locked in union presence creating a new power structure that would hamstring the ability of the state to manage its affairs efficiently.

Buh-bye now.

This state has had its share of pitiful directors and leftover meat puppets from prior administrations.  Though selected by the incoming Snyder administration, Dazzo was clearly designed to fit in with them.  I had written before:

"In January of 2011, Maura Corrigan, former Michigan Supreme Court Justice, and the newly installed DHS director, rightly declared the child care workers were NOT employees of the state, ending their nightmare, but the Director of the Department of Community Health Olga Dazzo had no such plans.  This required further legislative action to clarify the status of the contractors."

Of course Snyder could have done more as well, but at least Maura had the sense of what is proper, and didn't need the prod that would never be forthcoming from our falling over left get-along RINO chief executive.  Now Olga is leaving:

"LANSING, Mich. - Gov. Rick Snyder today accepted the resignation of Department of Community Health Director Olga Dazzo, who has decided to return to the private sector. The governor named former Director James K. Haveman, Jr. to lead the agency. Dazzo was appointed by Snyder in December 2010.   "

I doubt we've seen the last of her though.  It wouldn't surprise me if in her future "private sector" endeavors, she doesn't wind up financially interested in some health care exchange contracts.

Lansing, MI, August 15, 2012-- Taxpayers and job providers today applauded the state Board of Canvassers for protecting Michigan's Constitution by keeping an intentionally deceptive attempt by union bosses to hijack Michigan's constitution off the November ballot.

"We applaud the Board of Canvassers for standing up today in defense of Michigan voters, taxpayers and job providers," said Jim Holcomb, JD, Senior Vice President and General Counsel of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce. "The intentionally confusing and unconstitutional union boss ballot proposal would have undone a lot of the good work families and job providers have done in recent months to position Michigan for an economic comeback.  The Canvassers did the right thing keeping the proposal off the ballot and protecting Michigan's Constitution."

RMGN was a similarly spawned endeavor, and it too was tossed for its inability to explain to voters in 100 words or less, the incredible changes that would happen if passed.  The method of obfuscation used by the left in these brazen attempts at misleading citizens, likely stems from deep seated psychological issues involving clowns.

Squeezing so much into such a small vehicle is an incredible feat.

Citizens Protecting Michigan's Constitution is running this ad across the state to educate folks about the union efforts this time around.  Efforts which would negate any of the good moves forward for our state in the last couple of years. Efforts that would also create an environment of FORCED Unionism forever.  

Lansing, MI--Citizens Protecting Michigan's Constitution (CPMC), a diverse group of tax payers and job providers today pledged to stand-up for Michigan's working families after campaign finance reports this week revealed that outside special interest groups have already raised over $22 million to fund various attempts to hijack Michigan's constitution.

"Michigan's voters can't be bought," said Rich Studley, President and CEO of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce. "Families won't be fooled by false promises and clever campaign slogans. Now is the time for concerned citizens to "follow the money" to find out who is willing to pay millions to buy a piece of the state constitution."

According to campaign finance reports, outside groups have already spent $14 million to purchase a half-dozen proposed constitutional amendments. In the same period of time the groups have raised $22 million and are expected to spend over $100 million to hijack the state's constitution.

Big spenders hoping to line their own pockets by purchasing Michigan's Constitution include:

• Big Labor and the Michigan Democratic Party: $8 million on a secretive attempt to rewrite the constitution, repeal hundreds of laws and undo the good work being done to position Michigan for its economic comeback.
  
• SEIU: Nearly $2 million to force the unionization of home health care workers and allow the union to skim millions in dues each year.
  
• California Hedge Fund Billionaire: $2.24 million to line the pockets of out-of-state windmill manufacturers and other government subsidy seekers.

The poor and disadvantaged have been paying into a merciless system of political payback set up by Jennifer Granholm, and advanced through a series of tricks.  Authorities created under legislation passed during her tenure became the basis for the presumed voting in of a union for unsuspecting home health care workers and the money vacuum was turned on high. And it apparently continues.

Despite a bill being signed in to law by Gov. Rick Snyder that ends the "home health care dues skim," money is still being collected from worker paychecks.

With May on the horizon, it is hoped "dues skim" will officially be brought to an end. Until then, the Michigan Capitol Confidential's skim-tracker will not be turned off.

It most certainly was to begin with, but even the guy with the pen looked the other way while Department of Community Health Olga Dazzo allowed the scam to continue.  Maura Corrigan at least got it right away with regard to the day care workers. The theft from those who had no idea how the unions were allowed to reach into their pockets and literally take the bread from their mouths continues to this day apparently.  Even with the recent legislation designed to stop it:

"The "skim" has been going on for about six years and the SEIU has taken in more than $29 million. Since the bill was signed by Gov. Snyder on April 10, more than $215,000 has been taken from paychecks.

However, a recent disclosure report by the union indicates that count could actually be on the low side. Every dollar the union receives from the "skim" can be used for political purposes. It now seems likely that many of the dollars will go toward the SEIU effort to lock the "skim" permanently into Michigan's constitution through a ballot proposal."