2011 House Bill 4152 / Public Act 54

Limit certain automatic government union employee pay hikes

Introduced in the House

Jan. 26, 2011

Introduced by Rep. Marty Knollenberg (R-41)

To establish that when a government employee union contract has expired and no replacement has been negotiated, any seniority-based automatic pay hikes for individual employees (“step increases”) may not occur. Also, that any increase in health benefit costs above the former contract be borne by the employee, and establish that the wages and benefits under a new contract may not be made retroactive to the expiration date of the old one.

Referred to the Committee on Oversight, Reform, and Ethics

Feb. 1, 2011

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the bill be referred to the Committee on Education.

Referred to the Committee on Education

March 2, 2011

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-2) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

March 9, 2011

Substitute offered

To adopt a version of the bill that, among other things, proihibits making sny compensation increases in a new contract retroactive to when the previous one expired.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Tim Melton (D-29)

To tie-bar the bill to House Bill 4373, meaning this bill cannot become law unless that one does also. HB 4373 would prohibit school districts from paying superintendents more than what the governor gets paid.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Tim Melton (D-29)

To strip out provision requiring employees to pick up the cost of any increase in health benefit costs above the former contract's levels during a time when no new union contract is im place.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Tim Melton (D-29)

To strip out a proposed prohibition on making sny compensation increases in a new contract retroactive to when the previous one expired.

The amendment passed by voice vote

March 10, 2011

Passed in the House 63 to 47 (details)

To establish that when a government employee union contract has expired and no replacement has been negotiated, any seniority-based automatic pay hikes for individual employees (“step increases”) may not occur. Also, to require that any increase in health benefit costs above the former contract mustr be borne by the employees, and establish that the wages and benefits under a new contract may not be made retroactive to the expiration date of the old one.

Received in the Senate

March 15, 2011

Referred to the Committee on Education

March 17, 2011

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the bill pass.

May 18, 2011

Amendment offered by Sen. Hoon-Yung Hopgood (D-8)

To sunset the proposed new law on June 1, 2013.

The amendment failed 12 to 26 (details)

Amendment offered by Sen. Hoon-Yung Hopgood (D-8)

To include local government management personnel, including those responsible for negotiating collective bargaining agreements with unions, in the pay hike and benefit restictions the bill would impose.

The amendment failed 12 to 26 (details)

Amendment offered by Sen. Hoon-Yung Hopgood (D-8)

To tie-bar the bill to Senate Joint Resolution I, meaning this bill cannot become law unless that constitutional amendment does also. If placed on the ballot by two-thirds of the legislature and approved by voters, SJR I would require all private sector employers to engage in collective bargaining with unions, and prohibit repealing the law that mandates this for school districts and local governments.

The amendment failed 13 to 25 (details)

Amendment offered by Sen. Vincent Gregory (D-14)

To strip out the provision that would prohibit retroactive pay hikes, including retroactive seniority-based "step" increases, for local government and school employees when a new union contract is eventually adopted after a period when the previous contract has expired and no replacement is in place. On a second vote Sen. Mike Kowall switched and voted "no," causing the amendment to fail.

The amendment passed 20 to 18 (details)

Motion to reconsider by Sen. Arlan Meekhof (R-30)

The vote by which the Gregory amendment was adopted.

The motion passed by voice vote

Motion to reconsider

The vote by which the amendment offered by Senator Gregory was adopted.

The motion passed 26 to 12 (details)

Amendment offered by Sen. Vincent Gregory (D-14)

To allow retroactive pay hikes, including retroactive seniority-based "step" increases, for local government and school employees when a new union contract is eventually adopted after a period when the previous contract has expired and no replacement is in place. Lt. Gov. Brian Calley broke the tie with a "no" vote.

The amendment failed 19 to 19 (details)

Passed in the Senate 21 to 17 (details)

To establish that when a government employee union contract has expired and no replacement has been negotiated, any seniority-based automatic pay hikes for individual employees (“step increases”) may not occur. Also, that any increase in health benefit costs above the former contract be borne by the employee, and establish that the wages and benefits under a new contract may not be made retroactive to the expiration date of the old one.

Signed by Gov. Rick Snyder

June 7, 2011