Posts tagged Michigan
Teachers Unions Back School Funding Measures, Governor Candidates in Midterms
November 2, 2026 // Locals from New York to California are focusing on statewide races, while national union targets Senate seats in battleground states.
Teachers unions back school funding measures, governor candidates in midterms
October 30, 2026 // As the American Federation of Teachers finishes an election tour in battleground areas, many local affiliates’ biggest bets are on state ballots, including school funding measures and governor’s races. Both the AFT and the National Education Association have homed in on specific states for the midterms. The NEA and its state affiliate, the California Teachers Association, contributed a total of nearly $45 million to campaign for Proposition 3, a measure that would make a higher income tax rate for top earners permanent. The surcharge, which has funded billions for schools since 2012, would otherwise expire in 2031.
Granholm, not Republicans, put Detroit Schools under state control in 2009
October 28, 2026 // The Detroit school district incurred a $139.7 million operations deficit in 2007-08. By the end of 2008-09, that deficit grew to $218.9 million. Granholm appointed an emergency financial manager halfway through the 2008-09 school year, effectively placing the district in a form of state receivership. By the end of that fiscal year, the district's deficit had increased to $327.3 million. That was the responsibility of the locally-elected school board. There were two significant events in 2016. The state bailed out the school district and the state was sued by a group of Detroit Public Schools Community District students. Those Detroit students claimed they didn’t receive an education.
‘Best, final’ offer sent to striking Bradford White workers
October 28, 2026 // “We’ve made that clear by standing on the strike lines, blocking the drives. We don’t block them coming in and out. They know we’re here. They know we’re serious,” Dan Snowden, UAW Local 1002 bargaining chair, said.
MSU suing employee labor union over dispute with IT workers
October 26, 2026 // During the arbitration hearing, the university's representatives argued that because there was a reduction in roles there was a reallocation and reprioritization of assignments, meaning IT workers were taking on more urgent and necessary tasks that would still be handled within their position, according to court documents. Read more at: https://www.bnd.com/news/nation-world/national/article317747765.html#storylink=cpy
Henry Ford Genesys nurses approve contract after 411-day strike
October 19, 2026 // The hospital said it has already begun implementing elements of a revamped staffing model, including giving frontline nurses greater say in decisions involving patient care, nursing practices, safety and their work environment. The contract ratification comes just days after the nurses submitted a petition to the National Labor Relations Board, seeking an election on removing Teamsters Local 332 as their bargaining representative.
State Health Dept. Sued Over Forced Unionizing of Michigan Home Caregivers
October 19, 2026 // The Mackinac Center Legal Foundation filed a lawsuit challenging Michigan’s effort to classify home caregivers as state employees for union representation. The lawsuit seeks to enforce the Michigan Constitution’s rules governing state employment and invalidate the election that certified SEIU Healthcare Michigan as the bargaining representative for home caregivers. The foundation represents James “Jase” Bolger, a former member of the Michigan Civil Service Commission. Bolger brings the lawsuit as a citizen, as the Michigan Constitution allows any citizen to sue to enforce its civil service provisions.
Former Michigan House speaker sues over home caregiver ‘dues skim’
October 14, 2026 // The Mackinac Center Legal Foundation filed the lawsuit in the Michigan Court of Claims on Wednesday, Oct. 7, on behalf of former House Speaker Jase Bolger, a Republican who also previously served as a member of the Michigan Civil Service Commission. Bolger, president & CEO of the West Michigan Policy Forum, is bringing the suit in his personal capacity.
Hundreds of Nurses at Henry Ford Genesys Hospital File Petition Demanding Election to Oust Teamsters
October 7, 2026 // Genesys Hospital nurse Kristen Cox, who is spearheading the nurses’ effort, submitted a “decertification” petition with the NLRB, with free legal aid from National Right to Work Foundation staff attorneys, backed by the signatures of 264 nurses, which amounts to nearly 70% of the 385 nurses currently working at the hospital. Teamsters Local 332 officials launched a strike at Genesys Hospital on Labor Day 2025, and more than a year later, the strike remains unresolved. What is certain, however, is that the overwhelming number of nurses working at the hospital no longer want to be represented by Teamsters Local 332.
Cleveland Orchestra musicians to strike at midnight; Friday and Saturday concerts in Michigan, Severance Music Center canceled
September 24, 2026 // The Cleveland Orchestra is part of America's historic "Big Five" orchestras. The Associated Press reports that Philadelphia Orchestra musicians, another member of that group, now have a base rate above $175,000. "The great musicians in the Cleveland Orchestra should be compensated fairly. They should be able to work under safe conditions. And they should have a voice in the audition process," said Jonathan Sherwin, vice president of AFM Local 4. Sherwin recently retired from the orchestra after 29 years playing bassoon.