Center Files Motion in Forced Unionization Case

WPBN-WTOM Channels 7&4 in Traverse City is reporting that the Mackinac Center Legal Foundation has filed a motion for reconsideration with the Michigan Court of Appeals in an effort to end the illegal, forced unionization of home-based day care operators.

The lawsuit seeks to prevent the Michigan Department of Human Services from withholding so-called "union dues" from state subsidy checks sent to home-based day care providers on behalf of low-income parents. The DHS maintains that these day care providers, including private business owners and independent contractors, are members of a government employee union.

Sherry Loar, one of three co-plaintiffs in the case, told the station, "Everybody is invited in and we're a family, the union wasn't invited in, and they refused to leave," in regards to her private day care business that she runs out of her home.

The Midland Daily News reports that the Center is requesting the Court of Appeals "cure its palpable errors by granting the writ of mandamus or by fully complying with the Michigan Supreme Court's remand order," in which the justices unanimously asked the Court of Appeals to provide "an explanation of the reason(s) for the denial of the plaintiffs' complaint for mandamus."

The Petoskey News-Review reports that some 40,000 home-based day care owners are impacted by the scheme.

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