[nfbmi-talk] oops there is a loophole

[joe harcz Comcast]

State's unionized workers are next fight over right-to-work By Karen Bouffard Detroit News Lansing Bureau Comments . Lansing - Gov. Rick Snyder's next right-to-work

battle could be with the Civil Service Commission over whether the new law applies to Michigan's 35,000 union employees. Civil Service Commission Chair

Thomas (Mac) Wardrop said Wednesday the question "will be an issue" and Commissioner Robert Swanson said it's his opinion state employees are exempt. Union

officials and at least one constitutional expert agree. I don't believe that it does apply to state employees," Swanson told The Detroit News on Wednesday.

The constitutional language is clear in terms of the commission having plenary authority over (state employees') conditions of employment. Snyder does

not agree, and has previously said only police, firefighters and the Michigan State Police are exempt, because they are governed by P.A. 312, which gives

them a right to binding arbitration. (T)he legislation includes all public employees, including state classified employees," Snyder spokeswoman Sara Wurfel

responded in a text late Tuesday. (I) am sure this question, along with others that may be raised regarding implementation, would be resolved over the

course of time as expected. Experts said the Civil Service Commission would have to approve rule changes to include state employees in the right-to-work

law. The commission's four members are appointed by the governor and serve staggered eight-year terms. The commission includes three appointees of Democratic

Gov. Jennifer Granholm - Wardrop, Swanson and Charles Blockett Jr. James Barrett was appointed by Snyder to fill a vacancy on the board, and his term expires

Dec. 31 of this year. Of the three Democratic commissioners, the earliest term to expire would be Blockett's in 2014. (Snyder) needs two more appointments

here, and then he would have a majority," said Mary Pollack, legislative liaison for the Michigan State Employees Retirement Association, said of the politics

involved. Lansing attorney Richard McLellan, an expert on the Michigan constitution, said language included in the legislation saying the law applies to

state employees will have "no impact. (The Legislature) cannot touch state Civil Service and they can't touch the Michigan State Police," McLellan said.

Georgi-Ann Bargamian, an attorney and administrative assistant to UAW Vice President Cindy Estrada, confirmed Wednesday the law won't affect Michigan's

unionized state workers. UAW Local 6000 represents 17,000 state employees. It's the UAW's position that the right-to-work law that was signed by the governor

yesterday does not apply to any represented state classified employees," Bargamian said Wednesday. Noted McLellan: "None of the unions have bothered to

tell anybody that this doesn't affect state employees. kbouffard at detnews.com (517) 371-3660 Tweet Email Print Share LinkedIn Tumblr StumbleUpon Reddit

Del.icio.us Digg A A A Zoom Michigan Governor Rick Snyder holds a news conference flanked by Lt. Gov. Brian Calley and announces he has signed the "Right

to Work" legislation Tuesday night in Lansing . / Dale G. Young / Detroit News See Also Right-to-work protests resume around Michigan Right-to-work victory

in Michigan sends 'shock waves' across nation Mich. businesses hesitate to embrace right-to-work law Berman: Laws signal end of an era in Michigan Snyder

on impact of right-to-work law New text messages become latest evidence. .