Federal & State Regulations | Collective Bargaining Agreements - Michigan

State Info

Summary of differences between federal and state regulations

Michigan has substantial laws governing labor relations; however, this is substantially similar to the National Labor Relations Act regarding collective bargaining in private sector employment.

The state’s Labor Relations and Mediation Act (LMA) regulates collective bargaining relationships between private sector unions and small private sector employers not falling within the jurisdiction of the National Labor Relations Act. (Covers private sector workers, except agricultural laborers, domestic service workers, any individual employed by his parent or spouse, any individual employed as an executive or supervisor, or any individual employed by an employer subject to the railway labor act)

Public employment

Michigan has specific labor relations and collective bargaining laws regarding public sector employees, including the prohibition of striking by certain public employees and lockout by certain employers.

Mediation/Arbitration

Michigan has the Bureau of Employment Relations, which is responsible for resolving labor disputes between public and private sector employers and employees by: mediating collective bargaining disputes; conducting elections and resolving unit clarification issues; appointing fact finders and arbitrators to resolve bargaining impasses and other labor disputes; enforcing statutes which protect bargaining rights of public employees; and fostering cooperative programs between public and private sector labor and management.

Also, the Compulsory Arbitration Act provides for compulsory binding arbitration of labor-management disputes involving public safety employees.

Right to work

The state has no right to work law. It is permitted for an employer to enter into an all-union agreement with labor organizations, if such organizations are recognized as the representatives of a majority of his employees.