National

Michigan Supreme Court Approves Collective Bargaining for Ballot


MICHIGAN–(ENEWSPF)–September 6, 2012.  Yesterday, the Michigan Supreme Court unanimously rejected a challenge from corporate special interests to block a vote on a proposal that preserves collective bargaining for working families.

The initiative will remain on the Nov. 6 ballot.

“Collective bargaining is a basic right for working families,” said Angelique Peterson a member of UAW Local 245 in Dearborn. “We will fight for it and win in November.”

Corporate special interests pushed Lansing politicians to pressure the court leading up to today’s decision. But there was no legal reason to deny people the opportunity to vote on the proposal.

The Court of Appeals ordered the Board of State Canvassers to put the proposal on the ballot after the board deadlocked on the action.

The campaign collected nearly 700,000 signatures and the Secretary of State validated that more than enough valid signatures were submitted to put the proposal on the ballot.

Gov. Rick Snyder and Attorney General Bill Schuette took the unprecedented action of requesting the Court of Appeals deny citizens the right to vote on the proposal.

“Corporate special interests have spent millions and will spend millions more to mislead voters and silence our voice to negotiate for fair wages, benefits and working conditions that benefit us all,” said Cheryl Weston, a 31-year nurse who works at McLaren Lapeer Region Medical Center. “We will not be silenced and as nurses, we will continue to advocate for patients.”

Source: http://www.uaw.org


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