Over-achievers or show-offs? How about rock stars?!
In a stunning display of the power of labor unions in Michigan, supporters of a ballot proposal to enshrine collective bargaining rights in the state constitution today turned in over twice as many signatures as they needed to but the measure on the November ballot. The group, Protect Our Jobs, needed less than 323,000. They turned in over 650,000.
[APPLAUSE]
Karla Swift, president of the AFL-CIO sent out an email to supporters today sharing the news. She reminded supporters that the real work is now ahead of us.
We must remind our friends, neighbors, coworkers, and families of the important role that collective bargaining plays in creating and sustaining middle class jobs. We must also prepare to counteract the corporate special interest money that is about to flood into our state to confuse the issue and defeat working families at the ballot box.Celebrate today and prepare for the next phase of organizing.
Great news, indeed.
The Mackinac Center for Public Policy is soiling themselves:
“This ballot measure is a radical constitutional amendment that makes government-sector unions more powerful than the Legislature,” said Joseph G. Lehman, president of the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. “If it passes, unions will set public policy in secret negotiations with their government employers. Lawmakers won’t be able to override anything they decide.”
Oh, the drama.
This is one of MANY reasons Michigan Democrats will have to go to the polls in large numbers. Having a ballot initiative that so positively impacts union members will ensure a good turn out of the Democratic base in November.
I like that.
[Photo credit: Chris Savage | Eclectablog]
