June 19, 2017

AFT Michigan members and our allies made thousands of phone calls and sent thousands of emails over the past few months opposed to the plan to place additional risk and uncertainty for new school employees hired after February 2018.

AFT Michigan members did great work participating in volunteer phone banks and asking their colleagues, friends and family to make calls. The Huron Valley Area Labor Federation, the Upper Peninsula Regional Labor Federation and the Metro-Detroit Central Labor Council hosted phone banks over the past few months.

The House version, HB 4647 passed 55-52, with one legislator absent, and will be sent to the Senate for consideration. The Senate version, SB 401, passed 21-17 and will be sent to the House for consideration. We expect a final procedural vote to be taken this week and the bill sent to Governor Rick Snyder for his signature thereafter. Snyder is expected to sign the bill.

All Democratic representatives voted against HB 4647, and were joined by Reps. Joe Bellino of Monroe, Gary Howell of North Branch, Martin Howrylak of Troy, Mike McCready of Birmingham, Dave Pagel of Berrien Springs, Brett Roberts of Eaton Township and Jeff Yaroch of Richmond.

All Democratic senators voted about SB 401 and were joined by Senators Tom Casperson of Escanaba, Rick Jones of Grand Ledge, Mike Nofs of Battle Creek, Margaret O’Brien of Portage, Tory Rocca of Sterling Heights and Dale Zorn of Ida.

AFT Michigan will provide a full explanation and analysis of the final bill in the upcoming days