Officials want to eliminate binding arbitration for public safety employee unions

State law currently forces local governments in tough negotiations with public safety employee unions to submit to binding arbitration in the event the two forces cannot agree on contract specifications. But lawmakers have introduced legislation that will eliminate that law and officials in Shelby Township have unanimously passed a resolution supporting the legislation, reports the Macomb Daily.

The law was put in place because public safety employees — such as police and firefighters — cannot strike. The goal was to make sure those employees are treated fairly when negotiations over contracts reach an impasse.

But townships officials tell the Daily that those arbitration hearings are not in the best interest of the municipalities.

“An Act 312 arbitrator is unaccountable to the municipality for the short- and long-term financial consequences of an … award after its issuance,” the resolution reads.

Shelby Township Clerk Terri Kowal said bargaining sessions with police and fire unions have wound up in arbitration multiple times in the past few years. The township and the police command officers union have been in arbitration for “months and months,” the clerk said.

“We go in with an offer (and) the union goes in with an offer,” Kowal said. “Act 312 does not allow a split … We say, ‘No raise.’ They (unions) say, ’5 percent.’ (The arbitrator) cannot award 2.5 percent. It must be 5 percent orzero percent. It is nuts.”

The legislation was introduced by Rep. Justin Amash (R-Cascade Township). Amash is preparing a run for Congress to replace Congressman Vern Ehlers (R-Grand Rapids) and has been touted as the less government TEA Party choice.