LANSING — Today, the Michigan Civil Service Commission adopted new rules that severely limit Michigan civil service workers’ ability to negotiate job protections such as seniority, recall rights and the ability to negotiate grievances. In response, state Rep. Jewell Jones (D-Inkster) issued the following statement:
“I am extremely disappointed in the Civil Service Commission’s action today to strip state employees of the right to bargain over such issues as overtime, seniority and more. An efficient and well-functioning state government depends on experienced, dedicated employees. By its vote today, the Civil Service Commission is telling those employees that they are not worthy of certain bargaining rights despite the invaluable service they provide their neighbors, their community and their state. Many of those employees will likely feel more valued elsewhere and take their training and experience to another employer, leading to higher turnover and reduced quality of service. This was the wrong decision, and the citizens of Michigan are going to pay the price.”