Superintendent Doing Something About Illegal Contract Provision
Head of Northport Public Schools making sure teachers are informed of their rights
Like dozens of districts in the state of Michigan, Northport Public Schools has language in its teacher contract that violates the state’s right-to-work law by stating that teachers must financially support the union as a condition of employment.
But the superintendent’s response when informed of that was rare.
Northport Superintendent Chris Parker acknowledged the language in the contract was “unenforceable” and is doing something about it.
“We do not withhold payroll for the purpose of joining the association or paying a service fee," Parker said. "We also do not take any type of position on whether or not an individual joins the association."
He took it a step further.
“There is a severability clause in Article XV (C) and we will be asking the association to send out a letter to staff explaining that the language in Article VII is unenforceable. If they are not willing to send this letter, I will send one out that reports this information. I was not here when that contract was negotiated and I am sorry that I missed this when I took over at Northport,” Parker said.
The Mackinac Center has contacted many districts identified in this survey for having language contrary to the state's right-to-work law. Several have indicated that they will be removing illegal language.
Michigan Capitol Confidential is the news source produced by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. Michigan Capitol Confidential reports with a free-market news perspective.
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Hydra-Lock employees vote to decertify their union
Caregivers protest union effort to skim home helpers’ pay
Right-to-work no longer rules in private sector
September 5, 2014, MichiganVotes Weekly Report
Wolf hunts, golf carts and more licensure
Initiated Legislation 2, Preempt referendum banning wolf hunt: Passed 65 to 43 in the House
To preempt the effect of a referendum placed on the November ballot by interests opposed to wolf hunting. Specifically, this measure (Initiated Legislation 2) - which was sponsored by groups in favor of a wolf hunt - would make “referendum-proof” a 2013 law giving the legislature and Natural Resources Commission exclusive authority to decide which species may be hunted in Michigan. It would do so by making a small change to that law and adding a modest appropriation, which under a 2001 Supreme Court ruling makes the law not subject to referendum. The Senate passed this measure (Initiated Legislation 2) on Aug. 13, and with this House vote the no-wolf hunt measure on the November 2014 ballot will not go into effect, even if a majority of voters approve it.
Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"
House Bill 5045, Allow local governments to permit golf carts on streets: Passed 103 to 5 in the House
To allow cities, villages and townships with fewer than 30,000 residents to permit the daytime operation of golf carts on streets. A local government could require registration but could not charge a fee for this. However, a county commission could override a municipality's decision and prohibit golf carts on streets.
Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"
Senate Bill 92, Impose licensure on pharmacy assistants: Passed 101 to 7 in the House
To impose licensure and regulation on "pharmacy technicians" (assistants), with license fees, continuing education requirements, test-taking mandates and more.
Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"
SOURCE: MichiganVotes.org, a free, non-partisan website created by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, providing concise, non-partisan, plain-English descriptions of every bill and vote in the Michigan House and Senate. Please visit https://www.michiganvotes.org.
Michigan Capitol Confidential is the news source produced by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. Michigan Capitol Confidential reports with a free-market news perspective.
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