On September 5, 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 officially be 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.â€
Corporate special interests pushed Lansing politicians to pressure the court leading up to the September 5 decision. But there was no legal reason to deny people the opportunity to vote on the proposal.
The Court of Appeals previously 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.
Governor 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.
Last week, the Protect Our Jobs campaign announced that more than 500 small business owners across Michigan support the right of working families to collectively bargain.
“Collective bargaining lifts wages for everyone and when working families have more income, they spend it at small businesses in their communities,†said Mary Apps, owner of Fraser Flower and Gifts. “That helps us invest in our businesses and the surrounding community, strengthening our ties.â€
On the November 6 ballot, Michigan voters will get the chance to vote yes on this initiative and maintain democracy in the workplace.