USW Files Unfair Labor Practice Charge against Kalkaska County Road Commission

Contact: Tonya Devore (989) 667-0660; tdevore@usw.org

PITTSBURGH –The United Steelworkers (USW) today said that the union has filed an unfair labor practice charge against the Kalkaska County Road Commission with the Michigan Employment Relations Commission (MERC) for unlawfully implementing changes to the wages and benefits of employees without the union’s agreement.

The USW said that Local 8287 is willing to negotiate a fair contract that provides the road commission the financial flexibility it needs to address its liabilities but that the union’s attempts to reach a mutually agreeable compromise have been rebuffed without explanation.

The road commission has already reduced the take-home pay of its hourly employees by about 40% since 2006 as workers have absorbed increases in the cost of medical insurance and other benefits. The commission is also seeking broad rights to lay off hourly employees and have contractors do their work.

In the meantime, the Kalkaska County Road Commission recently approved raises for its salaried managers and granted them more paid time off for vacations and holidays while requiring them to spend fewer hours at work.

The USW represents 850,000 men and women employed in metals, mining, pulp and paper, rubber, chemicals, glass, auto supply and the energy-producing industries, along with a growing number of workers in public sector and service occupations.

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