MEA Coordinating Council Speakers!!!!

What does the MEA & your local Union do for YOU?

Sponsored by the Oakland County MEA Coordinating Council

ALL AREA MEA MEMBERS ARE INVITED!!!!!!!
Attend this information meeting to learn about:

Right-to-Work Impact & Fair-Share

Monday, March 11^th at 5 PM
Walled Lake Northern Auditorium

Speakers:
Rick Trainor, MEA Secretary/Treasurer
Christina Canfield, MEA Organzier
Greg Steimel, Research Consultant

 

RSVP using this link:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MEAeventatNorthern

Appy Hour! by Pam S. and Jennifer B.

Appy Hour!!!

Jennifer Bond and Pam Shoemaker are hosting an “Appy Hour” at the Uptown Grille in Commerce Twp on Feb 6 from 4:30-6pm.

This will be a fun, informal professional development session for teachers to share iPad apps with one another. This is modeled after something the staff at Sandy Hook Elementary did prior to the tragic shooting. So, in honor of Sandy Hook and Digital Learning Day, teachers are invited to come to Appy Hour to socialize and gain a greater APPtitude for using their iPads.

This event is for anyone interested in learning or sharing all things awesome about apps!

Flyer information at: http://smore.com/un4x

RSVP at:  http://goo.gl/EZKbj

ACLU and Coalition Files Lawsuit Against Right to Work

AS REPORTED BY MIRS News, January 31^st, 2013

“The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan and a coalition of labor unions is asking a judge to strike down Michigan's landmark Right to Work law.

According to a press release, the premise of the suit is that the law was enacted "while the public was locked out of the Capitol in violation of the Open Meetings Act, the First Amendment and the Michigan Constitution."

"By allowing state police to block citizens from entering the Capitol, Lansing politicians not only violated the basic American principles of open and transparent government, they also violated specific state and federal laws designed to protect the rights of citizens," Michigan Education Association (MEA) President Steven COOK said in the press release. "We're confident the courts will agree that the Legislature's actions on the afternoon of Dec. 6 constituted a clear violation of the Open Meetings Act and should be invalidated."

The lawsuit was brought on behalf of Steve Cook, Rick TRAINOR {MEA President and Secretary/Treasurer}, Sen. Rebekah WARREN (D-Ann Arbor), Rep. Rashida TLAIB (D-Detroit), Rep. Brandon DILLON (D-Grand Rapids), the MEA, Michigan State AFL-CIO, the Michigan Building & Construction Trades Council, Change to Win and Bonnie BACQUEROUX, an instructor at Michigan State University School of Journalism and the co-founder of Lansing Online News

According to the press release, the lawsuit was originally filed on Dec. 6, 2012 in order to reopen the Capitol doors. Today, however, attorneys filed an amended complaint seeking to invalidate the law. The case is currently before Ingham County Judge William E. COLLETTE.

Asked about the new suit this morning, Rep. Mike SHIRKEY (R-Clarklake), a lead proponent of Right to Work, said there was no legislative action to close the Capitol on Dec. 6. That was strictly a Michigan State Police issue concerning safety and security, he added.

"This is just another Hail Mary pass by those who oppose giving workers the freedom to choose," Shirkey said. "And it has frankly no merit." “

What does ALEC mean to you and democracy?

By clicking the "Click here" below, you will be taken to a 2 minute and 26 second explanation of how "ALEC" is working to deny the common, ordinary American of their democratic rights.

While it is a cartoon segment, I believe it demonstrates very acutely what has happened in Michigan this year.

If you are outraged, you should be!  I also believe it demonstrates more than ever the need for everyone to be part of an organization of workers that represents their views and best interests.  How else will we have a voice against the money-makers?

CLICK Here!

Pictures from the A.M. Right to Work Rally in Lansing

Getting into town could be a trick, but not impossible.

Need I say more?



Looking down Michigan Ave. from the Capitol.
More people coming!

It wasn't warm!



More Information for Tuesday

More Information about Lansing/Capitol Building “Visits” -

TUESDAY, December 11th–

Rallies will be going on in Lansing at the Capitol Building ALL DAY on TUESDAY! 

People will be gathering beginning at 8 am.  BUT YOU CAN JOIN AT ANY TIME DURING THE DAY. 

***JOIN together after work with friends and drive to Lansing.   

*****Take the Cedar Street Exit off I496 and travel to Michigan Avenue and turn left.  You’ll see the Capitol Building!   There are many public parking lots surrounding the capitol building.

Dress to be outdoors; I think they may lock up the Capitol! 

***As an alternative to avoid parking hassles in Lansing:  PARK  behind the MEA Headquarters in East Lansing and ride the shuttle bus to downtown Lansing

-              1216 Kendale Blvd., East Lansing, MI  48826

-               

******Standing there is important and helping to form a huge group. 

******The more there are, the bigger the impact!

4)   Continue to CALL Governor Snyder – 517-373-3400

OR email:  https://somgovweb.state.mi.us/GovRelations/ShareOpinion.aspx

(an easy to use fill-in form!)

*******Tell him to quit putting the interests of business over those of the middle class.

Right to Work - Why you should TAKE ACTION

RIGHT TO WORK Legislation could happen tomorrow or next week!  Please educate yourselves and inform your legislators about your wishes!!!!

So, why is this RIGHT TO WORK issue such a big deal?  The proponents will tell you, it gives people “choice”….isn’t “choice” good?

However, please consider the following information from the AFL-CIO.org website.  These statistics were also shared at the press conference Lansing Democrats held today (Wednesday) at the state capital:

Facts regarding “Right to Work” states –

• 1.        The average worker in a RTW state makes about $5,333 a year less than those in free bargaining states.
• 2.       21% more people lack health insurance in RTW states compared to free bargaining states
• 3.       RTW states have a poverty rate of 12.5% compared to 10.2% in free bargaining states.
• 4.       The rate of workplace deaths is 51% higher in RTW states where unions can’t speak up on behalf of workers.

These statistics certainly don’t support the Republican claims that RTW laws will improve the Michigan economy.  Perhaps taken solely from a corporation or CEO’s point of view, they do.  However, the majority of Michigan residents do not fall into the CEO category.

Please click on the link below (or copy and paste into your browser) and it will easily direct you to your local representative.  Write your SENATOR and your HOUSE Representative.

   

http://capwiz.com/nea/mi/directory/statedir.tt?state=MI&lvl=state

The message is simple, cut and paste if you wish:  “Do not pass Right to Work legislation.”