For Immediate Release
Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2012
Contact: F. Vincent Vernuccio
Director of Labor Policy
Or
Ted O'Neil
Communications Associate
989-631-0900

MIDLAND — The Michigan Supreme Court today unanimously approved the “Protect Our Jobs” amendment for the Nov. 6 ballot. The proposal earlier failed to get enough votes at the Board of State Canvassers, but was upheld by the Court of Appeals.

“Voters now have a very important decision to make,” said F. Vincent Vernuccio, director of labor policy. “Do they want to give union officials more power than legislators and local elected officials, or do they want to move ahead with reforms that could keep Michigan on the path of recovery? The amendment could fundamentally change how Michigan is governed.”

According to Vernuccio, the initiative “would effectively make each collective bargaining agreement into its own constitutional convention, as the language in each agreement would supersede many state laws.”

 One estimate of the initiative’s reach suggests that the proposal — if adopted — could repeal to varying degrees some 170 Michigan laws.

Mackinac Center President Joseph G. Lehman in June offered an open invitation to UAW President Bob King, one of the amendment’s most vocal backers, to publicly debate the issue.

“I believe voters would be well served by a forthright and public debate between us as they make up their minds in the coming months,” Lehman said. King has yet to accept.

For more information on the “Protect Our Jobs” proposal and other ballot initiatives, visit www.MIballot2012.org.

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