– By Ian Millhiser of ThinkProgress.org on Dec 11, 2012 at 2:02 pm – http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2012/12/11/1317131/how-michigan-voters-can-repeal-the-gops-anti-union-powergrab/

Earlier today, the Michigan House passed a so-called “right-to-work” law. The anti-union legislation, which permits workers to benefit from the high salaries gained through collective bargaining without contributing to the union that negotiates those higher salaries for them, will cost both union and non-union workers an estimated $1,500 a year in wages, in addition to costing thousands of Michiganders health benefits and pensions.

Anti-union lawmakers attached a budget appropriation to the bill in order to thwart efforts to repeal it by referendum — the Michigan Constitution provides that “[t]he power of referendum does not extend to acts making appropriations for state institutions or to meet deficiencies in state funds.” This is not the end of the story, however. Under that same constitution, Michigan voters may still restore the lost wages and collective bargaining power denied by this bill through a state ballot initiative:

The people reserve to themselves the power to propose laws and to enact and reject laws, called the initiative, and the power to approve or reject laws enacted by the legislature, called the referendum. The power of initiative extends only to laws which the legislature may enact under this constitution. The power of referendum does not extend to acts making appropriations for state institutions or to meet deficiencies in state funds and must be invoked in the manner prescribed by law within 90 days following the final adjournment of the legislative session at which the law was enacted. To invoke the initiative or referendum, petitions signed by a number of registered electors, not less than eight percent for initiative and five percent for referendum of the total vote cast for all candidates for governor at the last preceding general election at which a governor was elected shall be required.

No law as to which the power of referendum properly has been invoked shall be effective thereafter unless approved by a majority of the electors voting thereon at the next general election.

By attaching the appropriations provision to the anti-union bill, its supporters accomplished two things: they increased the number of signatures necessary to place it before the voters, and they guaranteed that, if enacted, it will be in effect at least until it can be repealed in the next general election. Nevertheless, Michigan voters are far from powerless. In the last Michigan gubernatorial election, voters cast a total of 3,226,088 votes. So workers and their allies will need to collect just under 260,000 signatures to place a repeal initiative on the ballot.

ATTENTION PHILADELPHIA AREA UNION COMMUNITY,

Philadelphia Area Unions Have Resumed Picketing The Post Brothers Construction Site at 12th and Wood Sts. in Center City Philadelphia Today for “Wages and Standards”

KEEPING YOU POSTED – We will keep you posted on this extremely important situation that’s outcome could literally jeopardize union standards throughout Philadelphia and Vicinity!

PhillyLabor.com

…..and doesn’t cut Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid benefits.”

It’s almost hard to believe after such a lopsided defeat in the election, but Republicans in Congress are pushing for a “fiscal deal” that would extend the Bush tax cuts for the rich and slash Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid
benefits before the end of the year—and they might win.

They’ve fabricated a story that, somehow, our economy will fall apart if they don’t get what they want. It’s not true, but negotiations are underway and a “deal” could come together at any time.

This is a crucial moment—before a deal emerges—when we need our leaders to stand strong. Can you call your members of Congress and tell them:

“Don’t back any fiscal deal unless it lets the Bush tax cuts for the top 2% expire, as scheduled, on December 31 and doesn’t cut Social Security, Medicare, or Medicaid benefits.”

Here’s where to call:

Senator Robert Casey
Phone: (202) 224-6324

Senator Pat Toomey
Phone: (202) 224-4254

Representative Chaka Fattah
Phone: (202) 225-4001

Today, in addition to all our calls, tens of thousands of MoveOn members are dropping off letters at the local offices of every member of Congress. Every call helps amplify the message—and we need to make Congress understand that we won’t stand for a bad fiscal deal.

The truth is that nothing drastic will happen to our economy on January 1. The House can simply vote to extend tax cuts to 98% of Americans—as the Senate has already done. It’s that easy. The only reason there’s even a debate over cuts to Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid benefits right now is that Republicans know they’ll lose all their leverage if the Bush tax cuts expire as scheduled.

The whole election was about whether the rich should pay their fair share or whether to give them more tax breaks and cut into our safety net—and WE won.

Can you call your members of Congress right now and tell them to stand up for the will of the American people?

Here are the numbers again:

Senator Robert Casey
Phone: (202) 224-6324

Senator Pat Toomey
Phone: (202) 224-4254

Representative Chaka Fattah
Phone: (202) 225-4001

Then, please report your call by clicking here:

http://pol.moveon.org/call?tg=FSPA_1.FSPA_2.FHPA_02&cp_id=1847&id=58512-23232480-2EMlm_x&t=3

Thanks for all you do.

–Ilya, Robin, Mark, Victoria, and the rest of the team

P.S. New districts and newly-elected members of Congress don’t go into effect until January, so the information above is still current.

Dear Friends,

I wanted to take just a moment out of our hectic schedules today to wish you and your loved ones a safe and happy Thanksgiving.

This has always been my favorite holiday, a simple, peaceful time to focus on the bonds of family and to give thanks for all of life’s blessings over a meal to end all meals.

I’m reminded at this time of year of those who are struggling, especially our friends and neighbors in the region whose lives and properties were devastated by Hurricane Sandy. I have seen the destruction firsthand and Local 98 is offering a helping hand to as many of these folks as possible. On this Thanksgiving Day, please offer up a prayer and a good thought for our fellow Americans who are still piecing their lives back together in the wake of Sandy.

It’s also been a tough few years for a lot of folks, as our national economy continues to struggle back to pre-recession normalcy. The good news is that there are some good signs that the economy is starting to bounce back and there’s a growing sense of optimism that the year 2013 will be a better one for all of us.

In that spirit of optimism and brotherhood, here’s wishing you and yours a very happy Thanksgiving!

Sincerely,

John J. Dougherty
Business Manager
IBEW Local 98

On this Thanksgiving, we would like to wish the entire Philadelphia area labor community and beyond a happy, healthy and safe Thanksgiving holiday!

We’d also like to keep in mind those less fortunate that they may overcome their circumstances and find solace in the true meaning of Thanksgiving!

In Solidarity,

Joe Dougherty

PhillyLabor.com