Posts tagged YPSILANTI
Former Ypsilanti union president who embezzled thousands of dollars from members sentenced to 6 months
May 1, 2025 // While president, acting financial secretary, and acting treasurer of the union, Miller embezzled approximately $47,347 of union funds in the custody and control of the bank of Ann Arbor by issuing approximately 38 unauthorized checks to himself and forging the signature of the second signatory on 20 of those checks; issuing approximately four unauthorized checks made payable to a family member; and making approximately two unauthorized cash withdrawals from the union’s bank account. The 38-year-old also used the union’s Bank of Ann Arbor debit card as his own personal debit card. He made at least 184 unauthorized personal purchases, totaling approximately $11,259. His purchases with the union’s debit card included flights, hotel rooms, rental cars, and retail purchases. For example, Miller used the debit card to pay for five flights to Florida, Las Vegas, and Atlanta, as well as for rental cars in Florida and Atlanta. Miller also used the debit card at a jewelry store and several footwear shops.
Employees of Bobcat Bonnie’s restaurant in Ypsilanti unionizing and preparing picket line
October 21, 2024 // The owner, Matt Buskard, told MLive he closed Bobcat Bonnie’s and Keystone Bar in Ypsilanti to better focus on their other locations. Currently, Bobcat’s United has been gaining support from workers of other Bobcat Bonnie locations and are still planning to picket for severance pay at the home office in Ferndale starting on Thursday.
Former President of Ypsilanti Steelworkers Union Pleads Guilty to Stealing $58,000 in Union Funds
October 10, 2024 // USW Local 2513 represented machine operators, inspectors, stock chasers, and rackers at Marsh Plating in Ypsilanti. Miller was elected President of Local 2513 in April 2018. Miller also assumed all financial duties of Local 2513 as acting Financial Secretary and Treasurer. While President, Acting Financial Secretary, and Acting Treasurer of the union, Miller embezzled approximately $47,347 of union funds in the custody and control of the Bank of Ann Arbor by issuing approximately 38 unauthorized checks to himself and forging the signature of the second signatory on 20 of those checks; issuing approximately 4 unauthorized checks made payable to a family member; and making approximately 2 unauthorized cash withdrawals from the union’s bank account. Miller also used the union’s Bank of Ann Arbor debit card as his own personal debit card. He made at least 184 unauthorized personal purchases, totaling approximately $11,259. His purchases with the union’s debit card included flights, hotel rooms, rental cars, and retail purchases. For example, Miller used the debit card to pay for five flights to Florida, Las Vegas, and Atlanta and for rental cars in Florida and Atlanta. Miller also used the debit card at a jewelry store and several footwear shops.
Workers in Ypsilanti and Petoskey Successfully End Union Bosses’ Power to Demand Dues as Similar Efforts Rise Across MI
July 18, 2024 // Two sets of workers from across the state of Michigan have successfully voted to strip union officials of their powers to force them to pay union dues as a condition of keeping their jobs. Mechanics from Brown Motors (a Ford, Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep dealer) in Petoskey and drivers from MV Transportation in Ypsilanti have voted by 75% and 78% respectively to remove union bosses’ forced-dues powers in a process known as a “deauthorization vote”. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), the federal agency responsible for enforcing federal labor law, certified the results of both elections earlier this week.
Judge denies EMU administration’s request to order striking faculty back to class now
September 9, 2022 // EMU administration filed a suit in Washtenaw County Circuit Court on Wednesday, Sept. 7, asking the court to bar the university’s chapter of the American Association of University Professors from continuing its strike that began on Wednesday. The university claims the strike is illegal under Michigan law.