Last week, the US Senate considered HR 4899, a supplemental appropriation to fund the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Without even a hearing, Sen Leader Harry Reid, submitted a amendment to the bill that would incorporate language from his legislation, S. 3194 mandating collective bargaining for public safety employees, not unlike Michigan's own "PA 312".
Because of your efforts, the amendment was wiithdrawn and the bill was passed without it! The League, partenering with other state leagues across the country through the National League of Cities and working with other national organizations, mobilized members to stop this outrageous manuver by Sen. Reid.
The bill is now back in the US House for final approval, and we'll continue to work with our national partners to monitor the situation but given the rules of Congress, we'll have to stay vigilant because, in Congress, amendments can be offered to legislation that have nothing to do with the bill being considered!
Thanks for all your work in contacting Senators Levin and Stabenow and be sure to continue to speak with them and your congressional representative about the impact of federalizing the collective bargaining process. Tell them the federal government has no business inserting itself and don't be fooled when they tell you that Michigan would be exempt. Fact is that the actual legislation would have states like Michigan, which already have collective bargaining laws, to go before a federal agency, the Federal Labor Relations Authority, to determine if our law complied wiith the federal law and any rules they make up!
Arnold Weinfeld covers federal issues for the Michigan Municipal League. He can be reached at 517-908-0304 or by e-mail.
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