Tag: right-to-work (page 2)

Relentless Positive Action is a sissified way of saying "I don't want confrontation with labor" by Mr Snyder.

No one expected Rick Snyder, the left of center Republican governor to EMBRACE Right To Work, but at some points, in order to continue getting support for his other pet projects he has said [privately] he will "sign if it comes to his desk."  The outward warning now, is to make sure that doesn't happen, or at least to buy him some time until this years election removes a Republican majority from the state house. A loss NOT due to conservative action, but that which has capitulated to the non conservative participation with the governor's agenda. Skubick opines:

"Some Republicans are taking the risk and ignoring their governor's pleas to leave this alone because they can't help it. Now that they have hefty majorities in both the House and Senate, some believe it will help to cement their own re-elections with conservative voters back home. Plus they've been itching for years to do it."

The majorities exist now, and may not again, unless the Republicans embrace that which brought them there.  A strong conservative message coupled by bold action that will help workers in this state face down the liberal leftist labor elements that handicap it in the global marketplace. Snyder's reinvention of picking winners can hardly match the strength of policy that encourages naturally, the strong development of vibrant business in Michigan.

One needs to remember that much of the success and wealth accumulated by this executive office holder was done so as the result of government-business partnerships.

This morning, I received this from the Michigan Freedom To Work Committee:

The MIRS Weekly Report - "Senate Majority Leader Randy RICHARDVILLE (R-Monroe) told reporters Wednesday that he doesn't believe there are enough votes in the GOP caucus for Right to Work (RTW) legislation."  Regarding his personal position on Right to Work, "The Majority Leader said that he would be a "no" vote on RTW."

MIRS also reports, Michigan's unemployment rate this year is projected to be 9.4 percent and won't average below 9 percent until 2014... University of Michigan (U-M) economist George FULTON noted that the jobless rate remains "stubbornly high."  Unemployment was at 12.5 percent in 2010 and fell to 10.5 percent in 2011. It's forecasted to be 9.2 percent in 2013 and 8.7 percent in 2014.   http://www.michamber.com/mirs-weekly-report-0#RTW

"From this I can only gather that Majority Leader Richardville is content with an economy that is staggering at best," said UAW member and MI-Freedom to Work Chairman, Terry Bowman. "Is he satisfied with an unemployment rate of 10%?

"If Richardville is opposed to Right to Work he is in direct opposition to the wishes of 70% of Michigan voters including many in his own district.  As a Monroe native, I know firsthand that there is much support for Right to Work in his district. "

Break out the champagne, Its looking to be a good year! According to NPR, It will happen in two phases:

GM's plant in Spring Hill will start making cars again for the first time in two years. The factory had sat mostly idle except for some engine production. Now GM will spend about a quarter of a billion dollars on the plant and add almost two thousand jobs in two phases.

In the first phase, the plant will add 700 workers on a so-called "flex line," meant to make whatever GM needs quickly to meet high demand. It will start next year on the popular Chevy Equinox.

OK, its not 870,000 jobs but its a start in the right direction.  Maybe the crisis is nearly over?  Michigan could sure use those jobs about now, and the news couldn't come soon enough.

BTW where in Michigan is Spring Hill?  Is that near Monroe or something?

OH. I see.

So, let me get this straight. Government Motors decided to locate their new jobs in a plant in a Right-To-Work state?

In the last two weeks, I have had at least 5 separate invitations to participate in conference activities. Each of them more tempting than the last.  Maybe next time.  And as it turned out, the business needed my presence Friday, and today the funeral for a friend's father. And overall, my significant other who has suffered well through the miscellany of political activities that keep us apart too often, seems to be happy.

The Lord does indeed work in many mysterious ways.

One of those ways is how we move the debate here.

As noted a couple of days ago, there was a concern I penned about Michelle Bachmann endorsing Pete Hoekstra, who would not go on record supporting right to work.  As expected there was a bit of noise going on in the background throughout the state party and establishment types.   As expected it was picked up in a national piece the following day.

Strategic National (Yob) who is managing Hoekstra's campaign likely had not planned for the "Tea Party" blast advertisement to come out a day early, as the "official" endorsement was to come out the next day.  It did. the "Tea Party" email blast by the way, is from merely another group who likely believes in most Tea Party values, yet is willing to capitalize on the theme as much as it is there to advance it.

This site for example will take advertising from nearly anyone who doesn't violate core principles.  I get it.

Perhaps a temper tantrum throwing majority leader issue.

As you all know, I support Right-To-Work.  I not only support it, but have done what is in my power to advance it, guide it, and bring a level of freedom of association, liberty etc., back to the workplace in Michigan.  Forced unionism has no place in a free land. it is antithetical to a country based on free will, a belief in the individual and responsibility.

Yet here we are having to perpetually remind our leadership that it is time to do a little soul searching with regard to labor relations. With contracts between free men, and agreeable partners. In fact I have opined/questioned in an email conversation recently:

"Under what obscene circumstances should I abrogate my liberty, my freedom of association, and pay a ransom for the privilege of applying my craft, or negotiating a trade arrangement with an agreeable employer?"

It is wrong. It is immoral. It requires a "slave's mindset." And I will see it ended before I am through fighting it.

At first glance, one might think Allegan county newspaper readers have no interest in Freedom to Work (Right To Work) as the Allegan county news poll shows a decided 76% against tally.  An editorial appears the same day with editor Ryan Lewis speaking of one of the commissioners, District 9's Bill Sage:

"Now, I know Mr. Sage to be a proud patriot and I'm glad he's a man of his convictions, but I think he demeans the meaning of freedom and patriotism when he uses it in this context.

This isn't a new tactic; political rhetoric has always had this character. But let's not use capital-F Freedom to in the trenches of the ongoing power struggle between businesses and their employees."

The editorial writer unlike those in my neck of the woods, at least uses his real name.  But he is mistaken when he assumes it is not a freedom issue, and "demean" in this context, is as meaningless as its descriptive.

The real news however, is the poll which appears subsequent to that editorial, might be used to persuade Allegan county commissioners that the county citizens do not want them to support a resolution of support.  

Is there, or not?

As many here may know, Michigan is one of the bluest of blue states in the country.  Historically, Right-To-Work has been talked about and immediately dismissed as improbable, if not impossible for Michigan, as it has been dominated by the political left, and a history of powerful unions.

The most recent election changing the legislature, judiciary, and executive branch to Republican held institutions has given hope to some UAW union members who started a grass roots effort for right to work in Michigan.  Given the new political make-up of Michigan's elected offices, it would appear that the time is nigh for such a move.

The political nature of support and intimidation by unions in some cases, leads to a certain reticence amongst legislators who might otherwise be seen as an automatic yea vote on such issues.  To offer support for those who might not be as comfortable taking a stand, it was thought that perhaps support from the local populations through the local governments would be helpful.  A resolution was drawn up and brought before the county commission in Grand Traverse County first on July 6th and then for a final vote on July 27th.