Posted on Dec 27, 2012 by Center for Union Facts
Though some have started to issue their year-end and presidential-term-end reviews of federal labor law, some recent decisions turn the year on its head—not to mention at least one major chapter yet to be written. Just last week the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), ruling on Kent Hospital, decided that lobbying expenses could be considered chargeable expenses if […]
Posted on Dec 19, 2012 by Center for Union Facts
Now that the dust has (mostly) settled in Michigan, we can take a closer look at what Michiganders can look forward to. The state will, for the time being, remain a union powerhouse, as current union contracts will not be affected by the change. Right-to-work kicks in upon their expiration. But even without an immediate […]
Posted on Dec 14, 2012 by Center for Union Facts
It’s no surprise that Michigan’s unions came out in force to protest Michigan’s right-to-work law over the past two weeks. One group of protesters, however, deserves a gold star: the teachers who “called in sick” so that they could join the loud and violent throngs marching through Lansing. Most reports indicate that the number of […]
Posted on by Center for Union Facts
In a fiery debate on CNBC Thursday, Center for Union Facts Managing Director J. Justin Wilson went up against Thea Lee of the AFL-CIO to discuss the toxicity of the union brand and the need for unions to appeal to members in right-to-work states, including newly-minted Michigan, and not simply take them for granted. Wilson noted that if not for politics, even Democrats […]
Posted on Dec 13, 2012 by Center for Union Facts
Rick Berman weighs in on Michigan’s right-to-work legislation: This has been the year of personal freedom. In 2012, voters across the country consistently reaffirmed their desire to see individual choice trump institutional power. In November, Michigan voters rejected the enshrinement of collective bargaining in the state’s constitution. In Colorado and Washington, they demanded the right […]
Posted on by Center for Union Facts
A funny thing happened on the way to right to work. Labor unions may realize they have been neglecting members. In the wake of Michigan becoming the 24th right-to-work state, numerous commentators have recognized that if employees aren’t forced to be members, unions may actually have to appeal to them. What a novel idea—free choice. It’s not something that most unions are used to dealing […]
Posted on Dec 12, 2012 by Center for Union Facts
Michigan became the 24th right-to-work state on Tuesday when Governor Rick Snyder signed two bills ensuring that employees will not be forced to pay a union just to keep their jobs. Police and fire unions were the only ones not included in the reforms. While labor makes grand plans for a response after a long, loud, and violent day of protesting, little is mentioned […]
Posted on Dec 11, 2012 by Center for Union Facts
For the past week we’ve heard from breathless activists and politicians and biased journalists ranting about the Michigan legislature and governor moving to give the state’s citizens the freedom to work. Add the President of the United States to that list. According to the White House transcript, Barack Obama told a crowd in Michigan: [W]hat we shouldn’t be doing is trying […]
