Posted on Wed, Mar 20, 2013 : 12:38 p.m.
Snyder: Universities bargaining in good faith shouldn't lose funding
By Kellie Woodhouse
Gov. Rick Snyder weighed in on a Republican-controlled state House higher education subcommittee's proposal to tie higher education funding to labor activity, telling MLive that universities bargaining in good faith shouldn't lose funding.
Rick Snyder
Mark Copier | The Grand Rapids Press
"It's early in the legislative process," Snyder told MLive. "If people are coming in and bargaining in good faith and showing real benefits, I don't believe people should be penalized. Now, the real issue would be if somebody were doing that with no substance to simply extend the date, then I could see legislators having a concern."
Comments
Jay Thomas
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 1:49 a.m.
An unprecedented eight year contract by WSU is not "bargaining in good faith." It is all about getting around the legislature and as such the same legislature has the right to cut their funding.
Judy
Thu, Mar 21, 2013 : 1:05 p.m.
The 10-year-long contracts negotiated with five of the unions contain the same schedule of wage increases: 30 percent pay raises over the next ten years in written contracts from the Wasthenaw County Board of Commisioners who negotiate in good faith. Did you know vacant property is not included in Pro. A? So look for a 30% increase to the tax payers of Washtenaw County over the next 10 years also.
Nick Danger
Thu, Mar 21, 2013 : 11:03 a.m.
If only we could trust the govenor to do the right thing
st.julian
Wed, Mar 20, 2013 : 10:46 p.m.
Right, just like right to work for less was not on his agenda. He'll end up sticking it to the university's to please the hackned ignoramuses in the Republican caucas.
snapshot
Thu, Mar 21, 2013 : 5 a.m.
Right back at ya.
Basic Bob
Wed, Mar 20, 2013 : 11:50 p.m.
Those ignoramuses make the laws, not Snyder and not the U.
Joslyn at the U
Wed, Mar 20, 2013 : 9 p.m.
Ok so seriously Heres a question Im sure will upset some you wonderfull people ................ UM has all this money to do all these renovations to buildings on campus and build new ones as well...........millions upon millions of dollars are being spent........... So the question is why does Michigan need my tax dollars if the have all that surplus to build and modify with?????????? Hmmmmmmmm???????????
Jay Thomas
Fri, Mar 22, 2013 : 1:42 a.m.
@mgoscottie: One illegal cutting in front of an American student and being admitted to a state university in their place is a crime in itself as far as I am concerned.
snapshot
Thu, Mar 21, 2013 : 4:59 a.m.
Education is an "investment" in our nation's future, that's why. Let me remind you that most innovations in the 19th and 20th centuries were created by "immigrants".
mgoscottie
Wed, Mar 20, 2013 : 10 p.m.
I did hear about the masses of illegal aliens enrolling at University of Michigan and what a huge problem it is too....
Usual Suspect
Wed, Mar 20, 2013 : 9:48 p.m.
Sol illegal aliens will soon be able to go there at in-state rates.
mgoscottie
Wed, Mar 20, 2013 : 9:17 p.m.
So in-state kids can go to school there at a reasonable price.....
Joslyn at the U
Wed, Mar 20, 2013 : 8:16 p.m.
What cracks me up about this is we have to swallow obama care because they got who they voted for but when the table is turned and its a conservative agenda they paint conservatives as the bad guys. Hey folks .........you got who you wanted and we have to deal with it like it or not. We got who we want on a state level and in turn you have to deal with it like or not. If you dont like it vote them out. Thats what you told us........eh?
maallen
Thu, Mar 21, 2013 : 7:06 p.m.
The idea of "ObamaCare" was debated, but the actual bill was not debated. How could one debate a bill that they had not read? All the backroom deals and secrecy just to get it passed, but yet Obama promised transparency. So to say it was debated is a fallacy. Now that the democrats are seeing what is actually in the bill are wishing to take it back. So much for lowering our premiums like it was promised. How come they aren't touting that anymore?
B2Pilot
Thu, Mar 21, 2013 : 1:41 p.m.
snapshot apparently you missed the January meeting the UAW had with the whitehouse asking that UAW members be excused from having to pay for obama care. Thankfully the whitehouse denied their request. And as far as it being debated it was but the actual act was not made available until the week before many many lawmakers voted on it with out even reading what was in it
John
Thu, Mar 21, 2013 : 12:56 p.m.
Obamacare was debated for months and months and then some. RTW was passed in less than a week in the Capitol building that was "locked down". Apples to oranges....
snapshot
Thu, Mar 21, 2013 : 4:55 a.m.
Joslyn, the "Affordable Health Care Act" had input from union leaders and a lot of other industries which is why it's so complex. And the Supreme Court ruled it constitutional and Roberts, a conservative, was the deciding vote.
dotdash
Wed, Mar 20, 2013 : 10:30 p.m.
That's fair enough. Sometimes it's hard to get rid of them fast enough, that's the only problem... or you try, and they get voted back in. Inherent problem with democracy. Darn it!
Greg
Wed, Mar 20, 2013 : 7:57 p.m.
Sadly, Snyder can't even breath right for some.
1bit
Wed, Mar 20, 2013 : 10:02 p.m.
It works both ways. Just replace "Snyder" with "Obama".
Joslyn at the U
Wed, Mar 20, 2013 : 8:10 p.m.
Whats so beautifull about Snyder and so ironic for the liberals is hes from Ann Arbor hahahahaha
a2citizen
Wed, Mar 20, 2013 : 8:08 p.m.
Snyder could cure cancer and still be criticized in this forum.
Mohawk
Wed, Mar 20, 2013 : 7:17 p.m.
If you choose not to pay union dues, you should get pre-union pay, work hours and benefits.
Usual Suspect
Wed, Mar 20, 2013 : 9:47 p.m.
"If you choose not to pay union dues, you should get pre-union pay" You're assuming that would be lower pay. Careful what you ask for.
Joslyn at the U
Wed, Mar 20, 2013 : 7:54 p.m.
Who says? If its a right to work state ...........and it is :) its between the employer and potential employee what is negotiated. That doesnt include you or me lol
Joslyn at the U
Wed, Mar 20, 2013 : 7:01 p.m.
Yeah Right To Work!!! Woohoooooooo!!!!
Mercutio
Wed, Mar 20, 2013 : 6:56 p.m.
So, cut the pay and benefits of your staff by at least 10%, or lose 15% of your funding? So if the universities cave to the state this year, what's the state legislature's bill next year? Mandatory across the board pay cuts for university staff? Hey, here's an idea, lets just gut the universities and chase all the professional staff out of state where they can find a living wage!
snapshot
Thu, Mar 21, 2013 : 4:46 a.m.
Good idea....If the U of M wants to function as a private, union dominated entity, we should let them and remove all state funding. I'm all for it.....a great idea Mercutio.
America
Wed, Mar 20, 2013 : 6:34 p.m.
Politics aside I just want the right to choose how to direct my money. I know there is a big righty-lefty thing here but that is not my concern. I am just excited to choose to give 2% of my salary to the UAW or not. The choice is mine now.
John
Thu, Mar 21, 2013 : 12:55 p.m.
"Freeloading" is the new GOP value! Against "takers" before they were "for" them
B2Pilot
Wed, Mar 20, 2013 : 10:26 p.m.
mohawk the unions are now majority owners of Chrysler & GM they are hiring new union members at $15. an hour. Is that freeloading off the union you are referring too?
Usual Suspect
Wed, Mar 20, 2013 : 9:46 p.m.
"The choice is yours to free load off the union who secures your benefits paid by your co-workers." Lie. Unions, if they want to, may remove bargaining-for-all from their next contract. You've been told this over and over.
Joslyn at the U
Wed, Mar 20, 2013 : 8:09 p.m.
@America AMEN
Mohawk
Wed, Mar 20, 2013 : 7:16 p.m.
The choice is yours to free load off the union who secures your benefits paid by your co-workers...how noble
Lovaduck
Wed, Mar 20, 2013 : 6:30 p.m.
I can't believe that Michigan has turned into an anti-labor state! I just blame it on the economy!
fjord
Wed, Mar 20, 2013 : 5:58 p.m.
Based on his track record of saying one thing publicly and then doing the opposite, does anyone doubt that he'll sign this bill into law if it makes it to his desk? Unfortunately, the GOP have so gerrymandered the legislative districts that it's not likely we'll be able to boot them out of the majority any time soon. The GOP managed to rig the game sufficiently to keep them in power long after the electorate figures out how craven they really are.
maallen
Thu, Mar 21, 2013 : 6:57 p.m.
fjord, Please show proof where Snyder said one thing publicy and then did the opposite.
dotdash
Wed, Mar 20, 2013 : 5:58 p.m.
Odd to see legislators behave like so much children, stamping their feet when they don't get what they want. Can you print the names of the 4 who voted for this legislation on the sub-committee?
harpua
Wed, Mar 20, 2013 : 7:52 p.m.
odd? gettin to be the norm with this group. childish is right.
dotdash
Wed, Mar 20, 2013 : 6:31 p.m.
Thanks!
Fordie
Wed, Mar 20, 2013 : 6:23 p.m.
Based on committee membership, it would be Representatives Al Pscholka (R-79th), John Walsh (R-19th), Peter MacGregor (R-73rd), and Robert VerHeulen (R-74th).
TheDiagSquirrel
Wed, Mar 20, 2013 : 5:53 p.m.
If unions and universities are bargaining in good faith, then the outcome is usually a legally-binding contract. What should that have to do with public education funding? Taxpayers pay politicians' benefits, which I guarantee are much better than ANY union member's at this point. Snyder is letting his Legislature attempt to kill what modicum of a middle class is left in Michigan.
metrichead
Sat, Mar 23, 2013 : 11:52 a.m.
TDS: I apologize for not replying sooner, and I don't want to make it look like I'm having the last word, but "veto" isn't enough. His veto power isn't going to reign in the behavior of the entire GOP caucus. I believe the best way to solve a lot of the issues of polarization is to undo term limits. It's my theory that when you send ideologues to the halls of power, experience makes many of them more pragmatic and practical and less ideological over time. I believe that undoing term limits isn't a cure all for everything in MI, but it will go a long way to solving a lot of this state's problems, including ones we don't really think have any relation to term limits.
Judy
Thu, Mar 21, 2013 : 12:45 p.m.
Here is what happened when the Unions and bargained in good faith with Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners: The 10-year-long contracts negotiated with five of the unions contain the same schedule of wage increases: 2014: Restore 3.85 percent to employee salary by eliminating banked leave days, as well as 2 percent non-structural pay increase 2015: 1 percent raise as of July 1; opportunity for 2 percent or 3 percent raise corresponding with property tax revenue at July 1 2016: 2 percent structural salary increase as of Jan. 1 2017: 2 percent non-structural raise in bi-weekly payments or as lump sum 2018: 1 percent raise as of July 1; opportunity for 2 percent or 3 percent raise corresponding with property tax revenue at July 1 2019: 2 percent structural salary increase as of Jan. 1 2020: 2 percent non-structural raise in bi-weekly payments or as lump sum 2021: 1 percent raise as of July 1; opportunity for 2 percent or 3 percent raise corresponding with property tax revenue at July 1 2022: 2 percent structural salary increase as of Jan. 1 2023: 2 percent non-structural raise in bi-weekly payments or as lump sum 30 percent pay raises over the next ten years in written contracts!
TheDiagSquirrel
Thu, Mar 21, 2013 : 11:55 a.m.
I can explain it with one word: veto.
snapshot
Thu, Mar 21, 2013 : 4:39 a.m.
Metri....I agree with you and you're correct but you're assuming these folks are basing their arguments on logical and factual data rather than self serving rationalization.
metrichead
Thu, Mar 21, 2013 : 1:47 a.m.
"Snyder is letting his Legislature..." Please explain how it's 1) "his" legislature, and 2) how he has control over them. As I wrote before, he has no authority over them, as he's the governor, and they're the law making branch.
dsponini
Wed, Mar 20, 2013 : 4:58 p.m.
Snyder...you need to reign in the extremists in your party.
snapshot
Thu, Mar 21, 2013 : 4:35 a.m.
dsponini, you need to rein in your union leaders. They actually tried to amend our state consitution and you're calling Snyder extreme? I'd say that's misguided but misguided does not do justice to dogmatic self serving behavior that public unions are exhibiting.
metrichead
Thu, Mar 21, 2013 : 1:45 a.m.
And how do you propose that? If you check the state constitution, he has ZERO authority over the legislature. He can sway them with the carrot all he wants, but without a stick, he can't MAKE them do anything. The only thing he can do for them is tie their political hopes to his coat tails, but even if he's re-elected, they're less likely to be a rubber stamp for a lame duck.
Joslyn at the U
Wed, Mar 20, 2013 : 7:43 p.m.
and deleting my comment in support of right wingers and extremists is lame and extremely LEFTIST hahahaha
Superior Twp voter
Wed, Mar 20, 2013 : 5:53 p.m.
^^^^^^Pot calling the kettle black^^^^^^
seldon
Wed, Mar 20, 2013 : 4:59 p.m.
He's one of them, he just hides it better. And prioritizes more effectively.