Senate Republicans continue to attack unions at expense of kids

LANSING -- A hearing of the Senate Appropriations Human Services Subcommittee on Tuesday that sets the budget for the Department of Human Services proved Senate Republicans will do anything to kill unions.

Last year child care workers organized the Child Care Providers Together Michigan (CCPTM) union, a joint venture between United Auto Workers (UAW) and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

The Michigan Employment Relations Commission (MERC) certified CCPTM as the sole bargaining unit for all home-based child care providers receiving reimbursement payments from the Michigan Child Development and Care Program, and the contract calls for all in-home providers who care for Department of Human Services subsidy eligible children to pay union dues. Because of that, Sen. Bill Hardiman, R-Kentwood, chair of the appropriations committee, made it clear that at least the Senate version of the budget will be more clear for the coming year: no state funds for the Home-Based Child Care Coordinating Council.

The Michigan Quality Community Care Council, a standalone public body created by inter-local agreement under the Urban Cooperation Act of 1967, is charged with the mission of improving professional development opportunities for home based child care providers.

“I just think it’s wrong, and it’s my intention to present a budget that does not fund the Quality Community Care Council,” he said.

Rev. Larry Simmons, chair of the council, said it has provided value to child care providers and parents, and the council is a group of volunteers from around the state coming together to help a group of people who have been completely ignored for 15 years. He said child care providers have been excited about the training opportunities that have been provided through the council.

“I believe this is the most exploited workers or business owners in the state,” Simmons said. “These folks went 10 years without an increase in rates.”

I have no idea why Republicans hate the Democratic process and the working class so much. It’s hard enough to get people to sign a card to establish a union, and once they do that a further roadblock is thrown up and an election is held. A majority of home-based child care providers voted for a union, so Republicans are looking for another way to stop the union.

The rightwing, anti-union think tank the Mackinac Center and its newly formed Legal Foundation has been attacking the Child Care Providers since it was formed. They filed a lawsuit claming that because not everybody voted, the election is somehow invalid. The Michigan Court of Appeals rejected that ridiculous claim, so while the case is under appeal, they turned to the Legislature where the anti-union Republicans were very receptive by introducing some bills.

The Republicans have been pushing to make Michigan a so-called “right to work” state to kill the union and have failed. Hardiman’s action to kill this union is similar to that action.

Overworked Senate Republicans take the week off, but want state employees to work holidays

If you want to see some irony and gall, you just need to pay some attention to the Senate Republicans.

Just a week after Senate Republicans introduced an anti-worker resolution that would require that state employees either work on President's Day or take the day off as an unpaid holiday, it turns out that the GOP-controlled Senate is taking next week off. No one is quite sure why, and Sen. Sen. Gretchen Whitmer, D-East Lansing, - who is becoming a thorn in the side of the Republicans - wanted to know why when Republicans are saying the sky is falling they are taking a week off.

“I can’t get an answer why,” Whitmer said on Wednesday. “I have asked a number of members why the Senate would close down, not meet in session. I don’t understand. And per Nero, Rome is burning—if you haven’t been listening.”

The Democratic-controlled House is in session next week, and both the House and Senate take a spring break for two weeks in April. But no one has an explanation for the off week, and Republicans are not talking.

“Now I’ve been told: ‘Well, we really don’t have much to do, ‘” Whitmer said. “I’ve been told: ‘People need more time in their districts.’

“Well, you worked one week last month and two days in December,” she said. “Haven’t you had enough time in your districts? Isn’t it time to spend a little time here in Lansing and complete the state budget or at least get it begun?”

Granted, most lawmakers meet with constituents, work in the district and attend events in the district when not in Lansing, and they keep a full schedule and earn their pay. But there is plenty to do in Lansing. Since the 95th Legislative session began on Jan. 14, Senate sessions have rarely gone more than an hour. In fact, Wednesday’s session lasted just 45 minutes, including the statements or speeches at the end of session.

When you consider how many in the Republicans caucus are running for statewide office, it’s not surprising they are taking the time off. Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop, R-Rochester, ended the speculation on what office he is running for when he officially announced he is running for Attorney General today. He joins fellow Republicans Senator Bruce “the Bear” Patterson, R-Canton, in running for that office. There is one Republican member running for Governor and two for Secretary of State.

Sen. Bill Hardiman, R-Kentwood, offered a lame explanation for the off-week.

“I don’t plan the schedule and can’t respond to that, but there was an implication that we are not doing enough work; and we are not working when we are not in session,” he said. “Well, I do have to take exception to that.”