Union workers protest against emergency financial ...: Emergency financial managers selected by the state would run struggling cities and schools. Union members crowded outside of the state Capitol chanting "Kill the Bill." UAW members say the legislation serves as a "backdoor" to dismantle their rights
UPDATED 12:10 P.M. -- LANSING -- A crowd of hundreds of union members inside the Capitol is thinning out after protesting against what they view as anti-union legislation.
The Republican-controlled Senate adjourned today following a debate on a GOP-backed proposal that would give broad new powers to emergency financial managers appointed by the state to run struggling cities and schools.
Democrats failed in their attempts to amend the legislation, including limiting the salary of emergency financial managers to no more than $176,000. Republicans moved the legislation forward procedurally. A final vote is expected Wednesday.
Several hundred union members could be heard chanting outside the Senate chamber during the debate. While rallies and protests are common outside the Capitol, it is unusual to see and hear so many protesters inside the building.
Check lsj.com for updates.
UPDATED 10:50 A.M. -- LANSING. -- Several hundred union members were lined up this morning on three floors of the Capitol Rotunda, chanting "Kill the Bill," to stop what they view as anti-union legislation.
House and Senate bailiffs were allowing the loud protest to continue this morning; an outdoor rally moved inside the building about 9:30 am.
The protest is an effort to pressure state senators to scrap a proposal that would give broad new powers to emergency financial managers appointed by the state to run struggling cities and schools.
Ray Holman, a Haslett state worker and spokesman for United Auto Workers 6000, said there were no plans by his union to end the indoor protest anytime soon.
"When you have so many people screaming at the Capitol, (lawmakers) have to pay attention."
Check www.lsj.com for updates.
UPDATED 10:15 A.M. -- LANSING -- A rally of more than 700 union members has moved inside of the Capitol this morning.
Chanting "This is our house," union members filled the Capitol Rotunda in an effort to pressure state senators to scrap a proposal that that would give broad new powers to emergency financial managers appointed by the state to run struggling cities and schools.
"We're here to fire a warning shot across the bow," said Jerry Skinner, a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers from Farmington Hills. "We are out here to show these (lawmakers) that we are not going to turn the other way."
ORIGINAL UPDATE
LANSING -- More than 700 union members rallied outside the Capitol this morning to pressure state senators to scrap a proposal that would give broad new powers to emergency financial managers appointed by the state to run struggling cities and schools.
The rally was organized by the Michigan AFL-CIO -- mirroring a similar union rally Feb. 23 outside the Capitol shortly before the state House approved the measure.
Union members say the measure would unfairly strip unions of collecting bargaining powers during the declared emergencies, and municipal officials fear it will result in more frequent state interference in local affairs.
"This is basically Wisconsin come to Michigan," said Sidney Kardon, a social worker with Royal Oak Public Schools, referring to the ongoing clash between public sector unions and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker. "Gov. Snyder has the same agenda as Scott Walker."
But supporters of the legislation say it would lead to earlier intervention by the state in financially troubled communities and schools, perhaps avoiding the crisis situations that lead to the appointment of emergency managers.
On Feb. 23, the House approved the main bill in the package 62-47 mainly along party lines in the Republican-led House. The Senate has a more decisive Republican majority.
Check www.lsj.com for updates.
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