Anti-worker initiative may be coming to Michigan
Don't fall for the "Right to Work" scam
In 2008, Michigan may be the target of a scam ballot initiative called "Right to Work." Much like other deceptive ballot initiatives, this out-of-state proposal twists the truth, pretending to be about everyone's right to have a job. But its true intentions are simply an attack on workers' rights and unions.
'Right to Work' doesn't have anything to do with your rights to a job. All this law would do is allow workers to receive the benefits of being in a union without having to pay dues or agency fees. It forces unions to spend resources and members' dues on these 'free riders.'
Federal law already protects workers who don't want to be members of a union, but everyone must pay their fair share for negotiating and administering their contract—that's just fair. Read more.
From the MEA Voice - November 2007 Issue
We'll come back stronger than ever
Gladstone teacher Mike Lagina says
bargainers
will need to be ever-vigilant in their efforts to
negotiate quality health benefits in light of a new law that could impact school employees' insurance
School employees’ collective bargaining rights remain intact, despite new laws pushed through in the dark of night on Sept. 30 impacting school employee health insurance, the retirement system for new hires and the school calendar.
The laws were designed to give school districts more control and leverage over employees’ benefits.
Some have described the attacks on school employees as the worst since passage of Public Act 112 of 1994, which set penalties for strikes and prohibited some subjects from bargaining, including privatization of school support services.
Enrolled State Aid Bills
House Bill 4359 School Aid SFA Analysis of Conference Report
Public schools will receive a small state funding increase this year. This Senate Fiscal Agency analysis provides an overview of the school aid bill, House Bill 4359.
House Bill 4359 School Aid HFA Transportation Formula
One part of the state aid bill, House Bill 4359, is a new categorical for transportation costs. The bill establishes a formula based on population and geographic size, and then provides a per pupil categorical for transportation costs.
The formula requires the district to have 200 square miles or more and to have five or fewer pupils per square mile. For districts that meet these two tests, the state aid bill provides $33 per student for transportation. This document from the House Fiscal Agency shows the districts that qualify for the funds and the amount for which they qualify this year.
House Bill 4360 Community Colleges SFA Analysis of Conference Report
Most community colleges will receive a state funding increase of between 0.9 percent and 1.1 percent this year. You may review a summary of the 2007-08 community college appropriations in a Senate Fiscal Agency analysis of House Bill 4360, which shows appropriations for each college.
House Bill 4350 Higher Ed SFA Analysis of Conference Report
Public universities will see small funding increases this year. Most schools will receive 1 percent to 1.3 percent more in state appropriations. This document is a Senate Fiscal Agency analysis of House Bill 4350, the appropriations bill for higher education; it includes a list of appropriations by school.
2007-08 Foundation Allowance by District
A listing of the funding increase that each district will receive in 2007-08 and the new per pupil foundation allowance for each district.
Questions and answers regarding budget deal "reforms"
Answers from MEA lobbyists about health insurance, retirement and calendar changes
As part of the Oct. 1 budget deal, a number of so-called "reforms" were pushed through the Legislature as a way to balance the budget on the backs of school employees, including:
- SB 418, which attacks public employees' health insurance without saving the state ANY money;
- SB 546 and 547, which slash retirement benefits for new school employees starting next summer, making it harder to recruit and retain the best and brightest employees for Michigan's students; and
- SB 549, which requires intermediate school districts (ISDs) to set common spring and winter breaks without any consultation with parents or school employees.
Despite extensive media coverage, little has been said about how these changes may impact MEA members. Read answers to some frequently asked questions.