Tag: Freedom To Work

The possibility of Right-To-Work legislation in a state considered so incredibly 'hands off' was too unbelievable, that even the national right to work folks scoffed at those of us conferencing in Lansing were preparing it.  They were planning some help for Indiana and possibly Ohio, but Michigan? No way.

We persisted, and believing the governor's pre-election pledge that if it came before him, he would sign it, daily efforts were made to advance this important freedom, and relief from organized labor's non-accountability. It was focused, and had too many parts that would eventually lead to its successful passage, to give credit to one entity, or idea or effort. All hands were on deck, and the trick was getting it in front of the governor to sign.

Which he did.  And we thank him for honoring his promise.

While the fight to KEEP it will go on for a couple of years, we should celebrate this point in time with vigor.

That debate is whether or not to advance contracts for bargaining units so that those units will operate under a closed shop for as long as possible.  Union leadership, in order to extend their hold on the workers is willing to concede items already won.  Public sector employers, seeing an opportunity to get concessions not so easily given before, is eager to capitulate. By golly taxpayers are well served, right? Win Win, right? Right?

I guess its a matter of perspective.  

For the employees, they get to find out how well they have been served by their bargaining masters.  Being locked in so that they can lose a perk or two, and with an added bonus of having several more years of unaccountability?  A BARGAIN at half the price!

Even a contract signed as recently as November can be reopened and dealt away on the basis of expected health benefits costs, and a college which hopes to limit its exposure

" MCAAP and MCCFO took the offer, he surmised, because they were going to be subject to the health care changes before the end of 2013 anyway."

A few more shekels out of the employees pockets, so that they may remain the property of the union for an additional 5 months.

Detroit News

"We're trying to keep my grandfather's reputation back where it belongs," said his grandson, Geoffrey Hoffa, a physician assistant in Arizona. "Most people hear the name Jimmy Hoffa and have a negative image. They hear the Letterman jokes. It's a shame that people don't know more about what James R. Hoffa did and that he always stood up for the underdog."

I wonder why the negative image keeps coming up when Hoffa is mentioned...

The Detroit News captures union thugs tearing down an Americans For Prosperity tent during a protest against Michigan's new Right To Work law.

The folks who are in the midst of the Freedom to work battle, and occupying the AFP tents.  To the high power individuals who stepped up and put this over the top. To the folks who are in the midst of deliberations, and will have to endure the phone assaults, curses, and procedural tortures ad nauseum. And to our state police who will be expected to keep the peace with little or no help from Virg Bernero's personal security detail (the Lansing Police). To the folks at home giving strength to our besieged legislators. And last but not least, to the the workers who have endured the dignity robbing pain of supporting illicit and unacceptable political agendas of union leadership, simply for wishing to put food on their families' table.

God bless you all tomorrow, and going forward.

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.

Unions have bussed in their henchmen from outside the state, and its expected to to get a little uglier than this video from just a little while ago..

If you get 5 minutes, call your Representatives, and State Senators TONIGHT if you have their local numbers, and give them support.  Tomorrow if you do not.  Lets get this crap over and done with permanently, or forever have these thugs running the show in Lansing and our nation.