Tag: right to work

A quick read of the article makes it seem that the Mackinac Center is suing the Teamsters to compel them to represent a non-paying employee in a grievance action. It seemed strange to read:

"The Mackinac Center Legal Foundation filed a lawsuit Thursday on behalf of four former Teamsters union workers who say charging them a fee to file a grievance because they opted out of paying dues is in violation of the right-to-work law passed in December.

Teamsters Local 214 in the city of Dearborn said effective July 1, it would charge $150 to employees who opted out of paying union dues to file a grievance, according to the lawsuit. .."

Gantert's story DOES reference the key:

"The lawsuit contends that even though the four employees no longer pay dues, they still are forced to be represented by the union."

The real story lies elsewhere.

One particular item is that former US Senate candidate and conservative Republican Gary Glenn is seeking the 98th District House seat. As a result of the failure to lead by our elected congressional types, there is a need for stronger leadership in our state legislatures that Glenn seems to understand.

"We have to get our government back to a more local level and do our best to dismantle this leviathan in Washington, D.C.," said Glenn. "I don't put a whole lot of faith in Congress to dismantle itself or the federal bureaucracy to do so, which is why I think we are going to need people of fortitude and conviction in state leadership positions who are going to wage that battle."

There is no question that courage will be needed by state lawmakers to defend Michigan's sovereignty against an acceleration of federal power grabs.  And the man who shepherded Idaho's Right-To-Work legislation into place, worked diligently on Michigan's freedom to work, as well as seeing Michigan's 2004 defense of Marriage act through is hardly a wimpy advocate of conservative principles.

In the two videos below the fold, Gary talks of history, energy policy, tradition, family, and what was at the time, a hope that Michigan would become the next Right To Work state.

He is not running for anything, so this is not an endorsement, other than that of conservative ideals, principles, and his grass roots activity in areas that should matter to us all.

The first time I met Tim Bos, was at the back door of a conference room here in Traverse City in 2011 just prior to the June 30 public roll out of the Michigan Freedom To Work campaign.  It was an organizational meeting that was publicized enough to give us concern that some attendees might not be who they say.  If I am to be truthful, my first impression at the door was one of concern. I didn't know him.  As we started the meeting, any concerns faded, as I learned of his marketing and organizational background, his core beliefs, and the overall skills he brought to the table.

I realized that this was a guy that gets it.  I also realized a serious commitment in the fight for Freedom To Work in Michigan by looking at the old Ford pickup he drove, especially at a time with gas prices climbing fast.  It wasn't the last time he would make the couple hundred mile treks into the hinterland just to advocate for the cause of FTW, as only a couple weeks later he returned, driving hours to offer his three minutes worth, in front of the Grand Traverse County Commission which was deliberating a resolution of support for it.

His words might well have made a difference in the overflowing room; one we cannot know for sure however, but the resolution did pass.

The case for Right to Work is simple.  You should not be forced to join or pay dues to a union as a condition of employment.  Unions claim to support workers, but they want to fire workers who refuse to give them money.

They looked at Michigan's Gov. Rick Snyder and they believed the picture that his moderate to centrist portrait portrayed--he simply wanted all this arguing over Michigan's right-to-work nonsense to go away. He told more conservative leaning members of his own party to back off right to work and they obliged. He did not want any such legislation to reach his desk and it did not.

But Snyder also made his position known to the unions. In trade for his stance on r-t-w, the union machine would not push for an amendment enshrining a closed shop mentality into the state's constitution. Michigan certainly did not need that in an age where job providers must seek business friendly climates in which to eke out a profit.

While Snyder stayed his course during his first two years (disappointing me and many others,) the unions predictably saw blood in the water and reneged on their portion of the understanding. Unions loudly placed the ill-advised Proposition 2 onto the ballot while also putting their cumulative weights behind two other propositions.

Amidst several hundred bussed in union protesters (some of them being unruly - see below the fold) and threats of violence, the Michigan legislature passed two important measures ensuring labor freedom in our great state:

HB 4054 of 2011    Local government; other; right-to-work zone; permit. Amends sec. 14 of 1939 PA 176 (MCL 423.14) & adds sec. 14a.

&

SB 0116 of 2011    Labor; collective bargaining; right-to-work zones; allow local units of government to establish. Amends sec. 14 of 1939 PA 176 (MCL 423.14) & adds sec. 14a.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Snyder said he had kept the issue at arm's length while pursuing other programs to bolster the state economy. But he said circumstances had pushed the matter to the forefront.

"It is a divisive issue," he acknowledged. "But it was already being divisive over the past few weeks, so let's get this resolved. Let's reach a conclusion that's in the best interests of all."

He sounded good.  His words on the Freedom To Work legislation are identical to the words we have used here and elsewhere. Choice, opportunity, freedom.  His pledge to sign the bills as soon as they reach his desk could literally change the nation's future.  This historic event is nothing short of amazing and couldn't come soon enough.

Thank you to those who today wrapped up a very impressive Christmas present for all Michiganders, and the rest of the country as well.