Labor
Whitmer signs directive transitioning the state’s fleet to zero emission vehicles by 2040
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Tuesday signed an executive directive to convert 100% of the state’s fleet to zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) by 2040. “With today’s executive directive, I am directing state agencies to begin the process of converting vehicles owned and operated by the state to ZEVs by 2033 for light-duty vehicles and 2040 for […]
Susan J. Demas: How Michigan became the progressive powerhouse of the Midwest
For years, Michigan was a national laughingstock, as bad news stalked the state like the villain in a bad ‘80s horror film. There was the one-state recession of the early aughts, thanks to the bruised auto industry that almost collapsed during the Great Recession that followed, and two partial state government shutdowns. Then came Republicans […]
Unions OK contract agreement with MGM Grand Detroit Casino
Union members voted on Saturday to ratify a new contract with MGM Grand Detroit, ending a 47-day strike. “I am happy to announce that MGM employees ratified their contract tonight. I am impressed by how all the unions and members worked together to win an excellent contract. I’m looking forward to going back to work,” […]
Former union lobbyist Jonathan Byrd pleads guilty to aggravated assault
Jonathan Byrd, a prominent former union lobbyist leader in Michigan, pleaded guilty on Friday to aggravated assault in a Kalamazoo court after being accused of sexual assault of a female colleague at a social event in April 2022. Byrd had been president of the South Central Michigan AFL-CIO chapter until his resignation in late March […]
‘Our workers deserve more money,’ MGM Grand Detroit Casino union member says of continuing strike
Jamil Johnson, an MGM Grand Detroit Casino restaurant server, said Thursday that he and his colleagues deserve a wage increase and are prepared to continue their strike. On strike day 44, the morning temperature hovered at 32 degrees as dozens of men and women donning parkas, hats and gloves marched along Third Avenue and Bagley […]
Whitmer signs labor organizing, fishery regulation manoomin bills and more
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a series of bills Wednesday implementing new policies to support union organizations and their right to organize, as well as connecting residents to English language services and regulating fisheries. Unions can struggle to get in contact with new hires as hire information isn’t always accessible, sponsor of SB 169 state Sen. […]
Business groups band together to counter ‘risky economic proposals’ advanced by Democrats
While Michigan pundits and policymakers have set their sights on addressing population decline and economic development in the state, some business and policy groups are joining together to oppose efforts proposed in the Democratic-led Legislature. Great Lakes Growth was founded by the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, Michigan Manufacturers Association, Detroit Regional Chamber, Grand Rapids Chamber, […]
The UAW’s Big Three strike led to a surge in union organizing at other automakers
The UAW’s successful strike against Detroit’s Big Three automakers has workers at more than a dozen other car companies interested in joining the union. The UAW says thousands of non-union autoworkers at companies including BMW, Honda, Hyundai, Mazda, Mercedes, Nissan, Rivian, Subaru, Tesla, Toyota, Volkswagen and Volvo have announced campaigns to organize their workforces. If […]
Tentative deal announced in 11-week strike by Blue Cross Blue Shield workers
A little over a week after ratifying contracts with the Detroit Three automakers, the United Auto Workers (UAW) union announced on Tuesday it had reached a tentative agreement with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) and its HMO subsidiary, Blue Care Network. Approximately 1,300 UAW members have been on strike since Sept. 13 — […]
Susan J. Demas: The UAW won the strike, so why doesn’t Donald Trump want to talk about it?
After decades of eroding wages and benefits, UAW workers this month won blockbuster contracts with the Detroit Three that few thought possible. During the “Stand Up Strike” — an homage to the Sit-down Strike against General Motors in Depression Era Flint that spawned the first industry collective bargaining agreement — the union for the first […]
On this day in 1963: Michigan leaders react to JFK’s assassination
President John F. Kennedy was fatally shot 60 years ago on Friday, Nov. 22, 1963. The 46-year-old Democrat was set to give a speech in Dallas, Texas. Lee Harvey Oswald, a former U.S. Marine, was arrested for the assassination. He was shot and killed by Jack Ruby two days later. The Lansing State Journal banner […]
On this day in 1945: UAW goes on strike against General Motors
On Nov. 21, 1945, the United Auto Workers (UAW) launched a worker’s strike against Detroit-based General Motors. The 113-day national work stoppage was not resolved until March 13, 1946. It affected about 320,000 hourly workers in 96 plants, including several in Michigan. During the early days of the work stoppage, Democratic President Harry Truman vowed […]