HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2011.08.31 - 18711MISCELLANEOUS RESOBUTTON #11203
EY: Commissioner Robert Gosselin, District #13
IN RE: BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS - SUPPORTING EMPLOYEE FREEDOM TO WORK
ACT
TO TEE OAKLAND COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen:
WHEREAS, we agree with President John F. Kennedy's executive
orddr regarding federal employees, that all persons "should have the
right, freely and without fear of penalty, to form, loin, or assist a
labor organization", and of equal importance, "or to refrain from any
such activity".
WHEREAS, to ensure individubl freedom of choice, we believe that
no person shbuld be compelled, as a condition of employment, to: (1)
refrain from voluntary membership or financial support of a labor
organization, or (2) become or remain a member of a labor organization,
or (3) pay any dues, fees, or assessments to a labor organization.
WEEREAS, we believe that the freedom to choose regarding union
membership or financial support is a civil right, and that job.
discrimination on the has of union membership or non-membership or
financial support or nonsupport should be prohibited by law.
WHEREAS, in addition to being...a. mattey.aot ndvidia1 freedom and „ . . . . .
civil rights, those states that have enacted laws prohibiting the
threat of being discriminated against or fired based on union
affiliation have experienced dramatically higher job creation and
Income growth, a benefit Michigan can no longer afford to no without.
WHEREAS, over the last decade, Michigan suffered the biggest loss
of lobs of any staLe in the nation, while the top five states for the
creation on new private sector jobs over that same time were all states
that protect employees' individual freedom of choice regarding anion
membership and financial support.
WHEREAS, according to the N. S. Census Bureau, two-thirds of the
states which guarantee employees individual freedom to choose regarding -
union mar bership and support have higher per capita income that do the
citizens of Michigan.
WHEREAS, over the last half-century, eight of the top ten states
with the highest average annual growth in income were such voluntary
unionism states, which Michigan ranked 50 t# among the states.
WHEREAS, when adjusted for taxes and the cost of living, families
in voluntary unionism states have been found to have over $2,00C more
disposable income each year than in states such as Michigan, where
employees face the threat of being discriminated against and fired if
they choose not to join or financially support a labor organization.
WHEREAS, we conclude that in addition to orotecting our citizens'
individual freedom and civil rights, passage of a state law
guaranteeing voluntary unionism and prohibiting job discrimination
based on union affiliation will also dramatically improve Michigan's
ability to attract and create new jobs and thus stimulate our economy.
NOW, THEREFORE, RE IT FURTHER. RESOLVED THAT OAKLAND COUNTY BOARD
OF COMMISSIONERS, hereby calls on Governor Rick Snyder and the
Legislature, and specifically Senators jim Marleau, John Pappageorge,
Vincent Gregory, Mike Kowall ard David Robertson, and Representatives,
Jim Townsend, Ellen Cogen Lipton, Tim Molten, Rudy Hobbs, Vicki
Barnett, Hugh D. Crawford, Lisa Brown, Chuck Moss, Marty Knollenberg,
Gail Haines, Eileen Nowa'1, Tom McMillin, Hradford Jacobsen and Bill
Rogers, to propose and enact an Employee Freedom to Work At that will
safeguard our Individual freedom and civil riohts by guaranteeing that
all persons in Michigan have the right, freely and without fear of
penalty, to form, join, or assist a labor organization, or to refrain
from any such activity in order to deco] r, keep or it
employment. The Act should not create right to work zones or
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution shall be
sent to Governor Snyder, all the State Senators and State
Representatives, and also the Boards of County Commissioners of lode
other counties of the state, who we urge to join us in calling for the
enactment of an Employee Freedom to Work Act for the people of
Michigan.
Robert Gosse1iPc dstr'ct 413
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Resolution #11203 August 31, 2011
The Chairperson referred the resolution to the General Government Committee. There were no
objections.