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Michigan has substantial laws governing labor relations; however, this is substantially similar to the National Labor Relations Act and Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act regarding unions 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Right to work law repealed
On March 24, 2023, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed legislation repealing the state’s right-to-work law for private-sector employees. The new law will go into effect March 30, 2024.
When the law takes effect, union security clauses—which require employees to pay union dues or a service fee to their bargaining representative as a condition of keeping their jobs—will be legal in private-sector collective bargaining agreements for the first time since 2012.
Contacts
Bureau of Employment Relations
National Labor Relations Board (Region 7) - Detroit
National Labor Relations Board (Region 7) – Grand Rapids
Regulations
Michigan compiled laws Chapter 423
Chapter 423 Section 423.1 et seq.
Public Employment Relations Act
Public Employment Relations
Employment relations commission General Rules
Michigan civil service commission Employee-Employer Relations Rules
Michigan constitution Art. XI
Police troopers and sergeants — Michigan Compiled Laws §§423.271 to 423.286
Police and firefighters — Michigan Compiled Laws §423.231 to 423.246