UFCW Recognizes Damaging "Right-to-Teach" Legislation
as Anti-Worker, Anti-Family
September 19, 2011 -
On September 15, the House passed HB 4929, to prohibit school districts from using taxpayer resources (including their payroll processing systems) to deduct union dues or fees from employees’ pay, and then sending the money to their union, by a narrow margin of 55-53. The bill is now pending a Senate vote.
Disrupting the regular process for collecting union dues opens the window for teachers to opt out, which ultimately weakens the collective bargaining agreement, places contractual protections at risk and creates a weaker presence at the bargaining table for teachers. Predictably the end result will be lost contractual protections and deterioration of teacher's rights.
The MEA website is encouraging union members across the state to write to their senators (see right), telling them "this type of legislation does nothing to improve education, produce any savings, create jobs or put more money in members’ pockets—supposedly all elements of the Republican agenda. This kind of legislation is a blatant example of political payback for our involvement in recall elections."
These bold attacks on the middle class by the current Republican legislature serves as evidence all of labor must work together to fight for hard-earned contractual bargaining rights, especially with different hybrids of right to work like HB 4929. ABC is one way UFCW members can participate in backing legislators who are protecting workers. Read more here.
Right to Work Now Tops Republican's Anti-Worker Agenda
September 7, 2011 - Since gaining control of the Michigan Legislature in January, Governor Rick Snyder and his fellow Republicans in Lansing have waged an all out assault on middle class families, swiftly moving through their anti-worker agenda. Republicans are moving quickly in case they lose their legislative control in 2012.
"In Michigan and across the country, Republicans are using the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression to attach vulnerable seniors, aspiring students, poor families and dedicated workers, " Roger Robinson, Local 876's president said. "Their actions are part of an agenda funded by some of the wealthiest Americans who want to make sure the rich get richer at the expense of the rest of us. These politicians are not acting in the best interest of the people, but promoting the agenda of their wealthy corporate donors."
With much of their agenda so easily accomplished, many Republicans believe it's time to aggressively pursue right-to-work in Michigan.
"As the campaign to turn Michigan into a right-to-work state heats up, we will be subjected to inaccurate media reports and false advertisements proclaiming the benefits of right-to-work," Robinson said. "Members and the general public need to understand this legislation is part of the Republican agenda to give more money and power to the wealthy and less of both to workers, and that all workers and Michigan communities will suffer under right-to-work."
UFCW Forms Leaders Through Political Action Committee
August 19, 2011 -
UFCW Michigan Political Action Committee training took place this week in multiple locations across the state to form activist committees in specific Senate districts to communicate Right to Work is Wrong for Michigan.
Trained committee members will be meeting with their senator and speak to them about the negative impact Right to Work would have on all workers, their families and communities. A special Lansing lobby day will also be scheduled for all committee members this Fall.
"These senators need to understand Right to Work is not a popular issue with voters and that Local 876's support isn't determined by their party affiliation, but rather their support for workers' issues," Roger Robinson, Local 876's president said.
Right to Work Is Work for Less
May 19 , 2011 - Governor Snyder passed a bill giving government total control of school, township and community boards. It also gives the Governor authority to eliminate and adjust collective bargaining agreements. Rachel Maddow breaks down this damaging legislation making it clear the Governor is using a fiscal crises as a vehicle to fulfill his promise to big business.
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Write Your Legislators
Writing personal accounts of the benefits of a union contract have impact. Now is the time to share your voice on anti-worker legislative measures that will have a negative impact on the middle class and all working people.
www.house.michigan.gov www.senate.michigan.gov
By zip code:
http:/www.legislatorpro.com
Worker Watchdog - Understanding Right to Work
Given the choice, most members may opt out of paying annual union dues that are deducted from their paycheck. By only looking at the short-term benefit, saving a couple dollars each week, greatly underestimates and ignores the long-term issue that will inevitably grow.
The long-term issue is that once a company has the majority of its workers not paying dues, less and less strength is in the bargaining unit. When negotiations begin for the language of a new contract, the company will have the upper hand at the bargaining table, and the contractual languages will be greatly reduced, if not eliminated.
Without a say during bargaining,
workers will no longer have a voice at work and will lose hundreds and thousands of dollars of protections and benefits. The company, however only stands to gain on their bottom line by reducing benefits.