Will Michigan Republicans go after and punish counties now???
Last night, the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners ratified union contracts with union groups providing services to the County that stave off the effects of the recently-passed Right to Work law for ten more years.
In an unprecedented chain of events, the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners approved 10-year-long contracts with five of its unions Wednesday night one week before Michigan’s new right-to-work law takes effect.In exchange for the extended time frame, the unions agreed to changes in employee contributions to retirement and health care benefits for workers hired in 2014.
The resulting reduction in employee legacy costs were touted by commissioners Wednesday night as a major investment in the long-term fiscal stability of the county…
“We are able to eliminate substantive legacy costs for the organization,” said Commissioner Conan Smith, D-Ann Arbor. “It comes at the cost of introducing risk into the benefit system for our employees.”
Given the retribution that Michigan Republicans have exacted on universities and the hreats to do the same to K-12 school districts, one wonders if they will now attempt to go after counties themselves. Their recent temper tantrums at having been out-maneuvered before their union-busting law goes into effect have them acting like a spoiled child that doesn’t get his or her way, lashing out in impotent, petulant rage.
Look out, Washtenaw County. They may be coming for YOU next.
