Getty Images By: Andrew Burton
Getty Images By: Andrew Burton
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Michigan's Supreme Court heard oral arguments yesterday concerning Michigan's right-to-work law and whether it applies to state employees.

I found the questioning by the Supreme Court justice's to be probing and interesting as being reported by Justin Hinkley in the Lansing State Journal.

The Michigan Supreme Court justices were asking both sides (the state and the union which represents the state workers) if collective bargaining is a working condition or merely a means to set those conditions.

The state employee unions believes the Michigan Constitution only gives authority for state worker oversight to the state Civil Service Commission.

Michigan's Assistant Attorney General Ann Sherman, however, argued the commission has the authority to establish only the "conditions that affect your daily work life," which she said "doesn't require the involvement of a collective bargaining unit."

The state believes if the Michigan Supreme Court rules against them they would be "enlarging" the meaning of the Commission.  The Union believes if they are ruled against the Court would decrease the power of the Commission.

Justice Brian Zahra asked a very good question, he stated that "state workers were not unionized when the Civil Service Commission was formed, so he wondered how the framers of the Constitution could have considered collective bargaining within the commission's purview."

The Michigan Supreme Court ruling is expected this summer.

What are your thoughts?

Call me today on the Live with Renk show, which airs Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to noon, to let me know your thoughts at (269) 441-9595.

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