2011 Senate Bill 493 / Public Act 260

Ban union negotiations over government service consolidations

Introduced in the Senate

June 16, 2011

Introduced by Sen. Arlan Meekhof (R-30)

To make a local government’s decision to consolidate services with another government a prohibited subject of collective bargaining. In addition, any new labor contracts would not be able to prohibit the government employer from renegotiating the contract if such a consolidation takes place.

Referred to the Committee on Reforms, Restructuring, and Reinventing

June 22, 2011

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the bill pass.

Passed in the Senate 24 to 14 (details)

To make a local government’s decision to consolidate services with another government a prohibited subject of collective bargaining. Also, a government employee union could not bargain over allowing the employer to renegotiate an existing agreement concerning affected employees upon a consolidation.

Received in the House

June 22, 2011

Referred to the Committee on Local, Intergovernmental, and Regional Affairs

June 28, 2011

Reported without amendment

Without amendment and with the recommendation that the bill pass.

June 30, 2011

Substitute offered by Rep. Paul Opsommer (R-93)

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that also addes new prohibited subjects of bargaining for school employee unions.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Passed in the House 60 to 48 (details)

To make a local government’s decision to consolidate services with another government a prohibited subject of collective bargaining. Also, to prohibit public school employee unions from bargaining over staffing decisions, including assignments, promotions, demotions, transfers, layoffs, methods for assessing “effectiveness,” discipline and merit pay systems. Current law already bans bargaining over privatization, school schedules and several other items.

Received in the Senate

Sept. 8, 2011

Nov. 3, 2011

Passed in the Senate 27 to 11 (details)

To concur with the House-passed version of the bill, which also prohibits public school employee unions from bargaining over staffing decisions, including assignments, promotions, demotions, transfers, layoffs, methods for assessing “effectiveness,” discipline and merit pay systems. Current law already bans bargaining over privatization, school schedules and several other items.

Signed by Gov. Rick Snyder

Dec. 13, 2011