Bill > SB0437

This bill amends Michigan's public employment labor law to establish new protections for public employees' rights to choose whether or not to join or financially support labor organizations. The bill creates explicit protections preventing employers, labor organizations, and other parties from forcing public employees to join a union, pay union dues, or take specific actions related to union membership. Specifically, the bill allows public employees to freely organize, join, or assist labor organizations, but also explicitly protects their right to refrain from such activities. The legislation prohibits anyone from using force, intimidation, or unlawful threats to compel employees to join or avoid unions, with potential civil fines of up to $500 for violations. The bill introduces significant changes to collective bargaining rules, particularly for public school employers, by adding new restrictions on bargaining subjects and creating provisions that prevent mandatory union membership or financial contributions. Notably, the bill maintains some exceptions for public safety employees like police and firefighters, who may still have different union representation rules. The legislation also requires labor organizations to have independent verification of their expenditures and provides mechanisms for individuals to challenge potential violations, including giving the Court of Appeals exclusive jurisdiction over certain legal challenges.

Government Affairs

https://legislature.mi.gov/Bills/Bill?ObjectName=2025-SB-0437