Welcome to the Michigan Association of Governmental Employees 

MAGE - OPEIU Local 2002 Website     

 Office address:  6920 S Cedar Suite 4 - Lansing MI 48911

               Toll Free (800)477-MAGE  -  (517)694-3123 -   FAX (517)694-8250

Email  info@mage.org      Staff email addresses listed below

CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION VOTES DOWN THE 3% RAISE FOR NERES

WHAT MAGE IS DOING TO FIGHT THIS ACTION. . . .

At the Civil Service Commission meeting the Commission voted on a 2-2 tie to reject the Coordinated Compensation Panel’s recommendation to grant the 3% raises to NEREs. 

“This action today makes it abundantly clear that the Governor, the Office of the State Employer, and the Civil Service Commission do not support equity and fairness for all state employees”, said President Threehouse.  “We will not allow this inequity to stand unchallenged.  We will exhaust all legal remedies and pursue this matter with all resources at our disposal”, he said. 

The MAGE Board of Directors has authorized any legal actions necessary to correct this injustice.   At MAGE's General Council meeting on May 15, legal counsel Brandon Zuk reported the following to delegates there:  

Mr. Zuk reported on the two fronts that MAGE is fighting to reinstate the 3% raise promised by the State Employer in 2007 and denied by the Civil Service Commission in 2010.   On the first front, MAGE has filed an Unfair Labor Practice suit against the Civil Service Commission based on the fact that the OSE has failed to follow the consensus agreement signed in 2007.  The defense is the fact that the State does not have the money to pay the raise.  The State Employer tried to get the hearing officers to throw out the charge because MAGE does not have collective bargaining.  The hearing officer denied that motion, so this is going to trial next Tuesday.  It will be sometime after that when we find out the ruling of the hearing officer.  Mr. Zuk stated that he was quite confident that the hearing officer will rule in our favor, however the concern is that the hearing officer may not have the authority to force the State to financially reimburse our members, even if it is proven that an unfair labor practice was done to MAGE. 

This leads to our second course of action, which was to file suit in the Court of Claims, within the Ingham County court system.  The suit is asking for damages against the State of Michigan arguing that State employees have been damaged by the actions of the State Employer.  There are three counts to the suit – count one is breech of contract, count two is unjust enrichment, the third claim is it violates equal protection.  There is some history with MAGE filing a similar lawsuit, however this one is markedly different in that MAGE had the consensus agreement in effect for two years prior to the violation by the OSE.  Also the Civil Service Commission approved new pay raises for the rank and file employees, while at the same time denying it to NEREs.  This case has been assigned to Circuit Court Judge James Giddings.  We hope to recover damages for our members equal to the 3% raise. 

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR RETIRED MEMBERS 

Beginning in January 2010 retired members may now choose either the traditional membership for $25 per year or the enhanced membership for $60 per year.  Proof of entitlement will be sent when the $60 payment is received by MAGE.  Only the retirees selecting the enhanced membership will receive these additional benefits

 Articles appearing in the IMAGE newsletter and other information are posted on the News Page including:

Also Included . . .President's Message  and  Lobbyist - Legislative News 

The Statement of Financial Position as of year end June 30, 2009 is now available.  

All Board, General Council,  Committee, District Meetings for Upcoming Year on the Events/Meetings Page

Click here to view the Officers & Committee Chairs elected for FY 09/10

MAGE Office:  info@mage.org

MAGE members who go off work on sick leave, are on layoff status or on a long term disability leave must make arrangements to pay their dues if they are taken off payroll deduction.   Those who let their dues lapse during leaves of absence jeopardize their right to MAGE representation should an employment problem arise, and lose all rights to MAGE-OPEIU benefits.   To assure that you will be protected if and when you need representation, contact the MAGE office at 1-800-477-6243 to arrange for cash payment of dues during an extended leave.

NEW ADDRESS OR AREA CODE?

The telephone company continues to add new area codes (seemingly every day).  Please let the MAGE office know if your address or phone number or area code has changed.  For that matter, please let us know anytime you have an address or phone number change.   Did you know that the State Employer does not tell MAGE when you report an address change to them ?   Remember, we can't keep you informed if we can't find you !   

Mission Statement

The purpose of MAGE shall be to provide to the membership professional representation and pertinent information in labor relations, compensation and retirement matters.

Association Profile

MAGE - Is the Michigan Association of Governmental Employees, a non-profit corporation.   Formed in 1980,  MAGE represents active and retired State of Michigan Employees who are (or were at date of retirement) classified as not exclusively represented (most often known as NEREs).  See our "All about MAGE" page in this web site for a detailed description of the organization.

Contact Information

Please contact us if you have any questions or comments. 

A list of officers, committee chairs and staff can be found on the "Officers & Staff" page.

Telephone  517-694-3123 or 800-477-MAGE       Fax:  517-694-8250                        

Postal address  Michigan Association of Governmental Employees - 6920 S Cedar Suite 4, Lansing MI 48911