Legislative Update
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MNA Legislative Update 01-27-12
01.27.2012
Anti-Union Package Sparks Controversy in House Committee
The House Oversight, Reforms and Ethics Committee took a second round of testimony this week on a package of bills intent on weakening union strength across the state. HB 5023, HB 5024, HB 5025 and HB 5026 have brought forth a wide range of individuals and organizations to testify for and against the bills. The committee has not yet voted on the package, but is likely to do so soon. Two weeks of testimony is unusual for the committee chair (Rep. Tom McMillin – R), who typically likes to vote on controversial bills sooner rather than later. This works in our favor. Please call or write your state representative and tell them NOT to support these anti-union bills. The more pressure we put on, the harder it will be for legislators to vote in favor of this legislation. Here is a synopsis of what each bill entails:
HB 5023: A bill to expand the classes of public employees who would be subjected to penalties for engaging in a prohibited strike.
HB 5024: A bill to define the activities related to picketing that would be considered unlawful and to outline the fines that would be incurred by individuals doing the picketing.
HB 5025: A bill to require annual written consent by employees to be submitted to their employers to authorize the deduction of union membership dues from wages.
HB 5026: A bill to prohibit the importation or contracting for the importation of strikebreakers from outside the state of Michigan.
Legislative Focus Brochure: A Reflection on Where We’ve Been and Where We’re Headed
To kick off the new year, MNA has put together a handout of all the bills we tracked in 2011 with a highlighted section of what we need to focus our energy on in 2012. You will find this helpful tool on our website, www.minurses.org. Click on the Legislation & Politics tab and on the main page you will see a link to the PDF of the Legislative Focus Brochure. Feel free to print this out and use it as our association works to make a difference in this critical election year.
Michigan Nurses MARCH ~ March 14th, 2012
The annual Michigan Nurses MARCH event is just around the corner! Join us at the Lansing Center on Wednesday, March 14th, for an educational experience you’ll not soon forget. Registration forms are available online at www.minurses.org or by regular mail if you contact Mariam Robinson at mariam.robinson@minurses.org. The deadline to register is Wednesday, February 29th, 2012. Space is limited this year, so please take a minute to sign up sooner rather than later.
