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Legislative Report as of February 2019Posted February 15th, 2019
The first month of a new legislative session is coming to a close, and it has been a whirlwind of meeting new legislators, perusing committee assignments, and re-acquainting ourselves with policy makers in new positions. Moreover, the changeover from the Snyder Administration to the Whitmer Administration is moving along slowly but steadily as her cabinet and key staffers have been announced on a piecemeal basis. One of the last department heads to be named was Robert Gordon, the new DHHS Director. Mr. Gordon previously was a member of the Obama Administration where he served as the acting deputy director at the U.S. Office of Management and Budget and also as the acting assistant secretary for Planning, Evaluation, and Policy Development at the U.S. Department of Education.
The Governor presented her State of the State address on February 12 in which she made several positive remarks about state workers and their value to Michigan. Her budget presentation will take place in early March, and it will be there where she lays out more detailed specifics about her policy goals.
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2019 OPEIU Scholarship Application Period Now Open
Posted January 29th, 2019
Enclosed in this article are links to the OPEIU Scholarship applications, rules and regulations. Please remember to complete the application fully, then send to the MAGE office so we can verify for OPEIU that your membership is in good standing. Read on for the link to the applications.
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IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT JOINING MAGE-OPEIU LOCAL 2002
Posted December 28th, 2018
Effective January 1, 2019, non-exclusively represented employees (NEREs) electing to join MAGE-OPEIU Local 2002 and choosing the option of “payroll deduction” must do the following:
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Legislative Report as of December 2018
Posted January 2nd, 2019
At the end of every two year legislative session, there is a period after the election results are tallied, but before the new elected officials are sworn into office. This period is known as the Lame Duck session, since it allows recently defeated or term-limited lawmakers to set policy for approximately six weeks. This year, the election results changed the power structure in Lansing starting January 1, and the individuals currently in office took extraordinary steps to cling to that power.
The sheer volume of legislation passed by the Michigan House and Senate over the past month has dwarfed all recent Lame Duck sessions. In fact, the Legislature passed more bills in the last four weeks of session than they had in the previous two years. The pace was so rapid that the House and Senate often worked well into the early morning hours voting on one bill after another. The Legislature finally adjourned on Friday, December 21 at approximately 8am.
Since then, Governor-elect Whitmer has made an increasing number of announcements about her new cabinet choices. She has also stated her intent to keep the Department of Health and Human Services intact, addressing rumors that she might decide to split it again into two separate departments. More on these issues and others below.
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Congratulations Demetrius Starling!
Posted December 17th, 2018
We are proud to report that another MAGE officer has received a Director position in the Department of Health & Human Services. Demetrius has accepted a temporary assignment to Work Out of Class in a Director position overseeing the dual counties of St. Clair and Sanilac.
Demetrius has been serving on the MAGE Board of Directors for many years. “Demetrius has worked tirelessly to assist his fellow MAGE members for many years and he has been a committed, faithful employee of the Department”, said President Quattrin. “It’s always nice to see a sincere, dedicated, conscientious employee get recognized”.
Lesgislative Report as of Nov. 2018
Posted November 14th, 2018
After a hard-fought election, the next governor of Michigan will be Democrat Gretchen Whitmer. While Democrats made gains in both the House and Senate, Republicans kept their majorities in both chambers. The Legislature is returning to Lansing for the “Lame Duck” session that could include several attempts to make more changes to various pension laws. We may also face attacks on public employee collective bargaining rights as the Republican leaders see the next few weeks as their last chance before a new Democratic administration takes over.Read More >>
$5,000 Signing and Retention Bonus for Nurses
Posted September 17th, 2018
MAGE advocated vociferously for two years before convincing the Civil Service Commission to create a rule paving the way for these bonuses. Read More >>
Announcing the OPEIU Free College Benefit
Posted June 28th, 2017
OPEIU is pleased to introduce the newest union benefit for all OPEIU members – the OPEIU Free College Benefit. Just as the name implies, OPEIU members and their families can now earn an associate degree completely free of charge!Read More >>
Ojibway Correctional Facility Closing
Posted September 17th, 2018
Our condolences go out to our dedicated members and all of the employees at Ojibway Correctional Facility which is now slated for closure in December of this year.
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Vote Now for the OPEIU Triennial Convention Delegates
Posted December 1st, 2018
It is time to Vote for delegates to the OPEIU Triennial Convention June 10 - 14, 2019. Read More >>
MAGE Scholarship and Student Debt Reduction Award Winners Selected
Posted October 16th, 2018
On Saturday, Sept. 29 during the MAGE Board meeting, nine winners of $1,000 Scholarship or Student Debt Reduction Awards were selected at random from all entries. Read More >>
Happy Thanksgiving!
Posted November 20th, 2018
Wishing all of our members a Happy Thanksgiving! MAGE 1st Vice President Brant Wimbush Appoionted to the DHHS Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council
Posted July 25th, 2018
The mission of the council is to create a plan to promote and foster a culture that values diversity. Read More >>
Legislative Report as of Sept. 28, 2018
Posted October 1st, 2018
The Legislature wrapped up their summer recess with a two day session last week. They will not be in session again until October, and even that is expected to be abbreviated. The focus is completely on the November election right now, and with it shaping up to be one of the more competitive elections in recent years, legislators are spending all of their time on the campaign trail. Read More >>
July Legislative Report by Todd Tennis of Capitol Services
Posted August 2nd, 2018
The Legislature has wrapped up the Fiscal Year 2018-19 appropriations process and has recessed for the summer. Before they left, they passed a large package of bills dealing with sexual assault in response to the events at Michigan State University. Read More >>
OPEIU Student Debt Reduction Program Now Open
Posted April 16th, 2018
Please read on for the application and regulations for the 2018 Student Debt Reduction Program. Read More >>
May Legislative Report by Todd Tennis
Posted May 14th, 2018
The Michigan Legislature is back in session after the two-week spring recess. Over the last month, House and Senate Appropriation Subcommittees have been holding hearings to review Governor Snyder’s budget proposal. Read More >>
March Legislative Report by Todd Tennis
Posted April 3rd, 2018
The Michigan Legislature is in the middle of a two-week spring recess. Over the last month, House and Senate Appropriation Subcommittees have been holding hearings to review Governor Snyder’s budget proposal. We are approximately half-way through the budget process and most subcommittees are preparing their initial reports for their individual departmental spending numbers.
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Nominations for MAGE Executive Committee and Board plus Resolutions Submitted for General Council 2018
Posted April 5th, 2018
The Nominations and Resolutions Committee presents the following slate of MAGE members who have indicated their intent to run for office for the next term by submitting a Nomination application. The Committee has determined these are members in good standing, and therefore the delegates to General Council will vote to elect these individuals during the meeting on May 19.
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February Legislative Report by Todd Tennis
Posted March 8th, 2018
Governor's budget proposal calls for relatively few changes and the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees have been meeting nonstop since then. Read More >>
January Legislative Report by Todd Tennis of Capitol Services
Posted January 30th, 2018
The Legislature has returned from after the holiday recess and will soon turn much of its attention to the budget process. Governor Snyder gave his last State of the State address on January 23, and his final budget presentation will take place on February 7.
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December Legislative Report by Todd Tennis of Capitol Services
Posted December 18th, 2017
As 2017 comes to a close, we are halfway through the current two-year legislative session. The Michigan House and Senate have adjourned for the remainder of the year and will return to session on January 10. Before they left, they completed work on a package of bills aimed at making reforms to the state’s unemployment insurance system, said farewell to Representative Andy Schor who will step down to become the new Mayor of Lansing, and passed legislation creating an early warning system of sorts for municipal pension systems. Read More >>
The MAGE General Council - May 19, 2018
Posted January 24th, 2018
The MAGE General Council is our biennial meeting where members meet to elect officers, get information and vote on policy. If you would like to attend the MAGE General Council on May 19, 2018 at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center in East Lansing please contact the MAGE office for reservations at 1-800-477-6243.
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Make Sure to Get Out and Vote on Tuesday, November 6!
Posted November 5th, 2018
Just a friendly reminder to our members. This is an important moment in our country and in our state. VOTE. Rain or Shine. VOTE.Howard Coughlin Memorial Scholarship Winner
Posted June 26th, 2017
We are so happy to announce that Spenser Vasbinder, son of MAGE OPEIU Local 2002 member Dayna Vasbinder has been selected as a winner of a Howard Coughlin Memorial Scholarship.
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Legislative Update as of November 10, 2017 by Todd Tennis of Capitol Services
Posted November 16th, 2017
The Michigan Legislature spent much of the last two months working on reforms to Michigan’s No-Fault Auto Insurance law. While there is near universal agreement that Michiganders (and we are officially “Michiganders” now thanks to Senate Bill 562) are paying too much for auto insurance, there is a massive debate on how to solve that problem. Read More >>
September Legislative Report by Capitol Services
Posted October 16th, 2017
On September 26, Speaker of the House Tom Leonard co-hosted a press conference with Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan to unveil a proposal to make major reforms to Michigan’s No-Fault Auto Insurance laws. Read More >>
August Legislative Report
Posted August 31st, 2017
Although the Legislature has been on summer break since June, that does not mean that nothing is happening in Lansing. Plenty of officials and legislators are planning rule changes or legislation that will begin moving in the fall. Read More >>
July Legislative Report by Todd Tennis
Posted July 31st, 2017
The Legislature has recessed for the summer and will not be back in session until September. They completed the 2018 budget process and the Governor signed it into law in July. Read More >>
Budget Update from Capitol Services
Posted June 7th, 2017
The budget impasse between the Legislature and the Governor regarding the future of the school pension system continues into June. State prisons would see a $10 million cut to their operations under the 2017-18 fiscal year budget approved today by a House-Senate conference committee. Read More >>
OPEIU Nurses Take Capitol Hill to Demand Nurse Safe Staffing Legislation
Posted May 11th, 2017
“It’s Your Health, Your Families and Your Constituents We’re Fighting to Protect” Washington, D.C. – Nurse members of the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU), AFL-CIO, from around the country descended on Capitol Hill on Friday, May 5, 2017, to meet with their legislators and demand safe nurse to patient ratio legislation aimed at protecting nurses, patients and their families.
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May Legislative Report by Todd Tennis of Capitol Services
Posted May 30th, 2017
The last month has been a whirlwind of conflicting budget numbers and proposals between the House, Senate and Governor Snyder. Complicating the annual appropriations process has been the agreement between Speaker of the House Tom Leonard and Senate Majority Leader Arlen Meekhof that the greatest threat to Michigan at this moment are public school pensions. Read More >>
OPEIU Student Debt Reduction Program
Posted April 17th, 2017
OPEIU is happy to announce the Student Debt Reduction Program. This program provides five awards of $2,500 each year to a member who has completed an associate or undergraduate degree and who can demonstrate they have at least $10,000 in student debt and their account is current.
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April Legislative Report by Todd Tennis
Posted April 26th, 2017
The Michigan Legislature spent the first part of the new session focused mostly on the upcoming budget battles. Read More >>
Voting now open for Ratification of the changes to the MAGE Constitution
Posted June 1st, 2018
During the 2018 General Council, delegates adopted a housekeeping resolution to the MAGE Constitution. Members must vote to ratify these changes. Read More >>
Compensation Update for FY 17/18
Posted December 14th, 2016
The MAGE Compensation Process for the non-exclusively represented employees (NEREs) has culminated with the Civil Service Commission approving a 3% general wage increase, effective October 2017 and no increases in healthcare premiums. Read More >>
Legislative Report by Todd Tennis of Capitol Services
Posted February 1st, 2017
The 99th Michigan Legislature was seated in Lansing this month. The term begins with a new Speaker, Representative Tom Leonard (R-DeWitt) in the Chair, but the same Republican/Democrat split of 63-47. It is widely believed that the Republican caucus has become more politically conservative as a result of the election, but that has yet to be seen. Read More >>
Legislatvie Report December 2016
Posted December 27th, 2016
It’s over. The 2015-16 Legislative session has come to a close after a brief but eventful Lame Duck session. For MAGE members, it turned out to be one of the quieter Lame Duck sessions in memory. Read More >>
October Legislative Report by Todd Tennis of Capitol Services
Posted October 25th, 2016
The election is upon us and it is one of the strangest our nation has ever had. Rarely have there been two presidential contenders that were so unpopular. Donald Trump’s highly unorthodox campaign could still bear fruit on November 8, but the latest polls show him a longshot to defeat Hillary Clinton. In Michigan, Clinton is up by anywhere from 5-8 points in the polls, but it is still hard to say how that will affect down-ballot races, if at all.Read More >>
MAGE Board Selects the 2016 Scholarship Winners
Posted September 27th, 2016
The MAGE Board of Directors is pleased to announce the winners of the MAGE Scholarships for 2016. At the Board meeting held Sept. 17 the Board approved the payment of 5 scholarships, and each of these winners receives a $1,000 scholarship. Read More >>
August Legislative Report by Todd Tennis
Posted September 1st, 2016
The Primary Election is over, and due to the nature of Michigan’s legislative districts, that means that about 80% of Michigan House Seats have essentially been decided due to the fact that most seats are skewed toward one party or the other. Read More >>
Personal Leave Grant - Oct 1, 2016
Posted September 1st, 2016
On October 1, 2016 the State will grant personal leave to employees. Read the full story for details.Read More >>
July Legislative Report, by Todd Tennis of Capitol Services
Posted July 25th, 2016
The Michigan Legislature is in the middle of its summer recess, but most legislators and staff have shifted into campaign mode. Every seat in the Michigan House is up for election this year, though the Michigan Senate members will not appear on the ballot until 2018. Read More >>
MAGE Calls for Defeat of Civil Service Bills
Posted June 1st, 2016
Today the House Workforce and Talent Committee reported out legislation that would seriously undermine Michigan's decades old Civil Service system. Civil Service was established in the Michigan Constitution as a bar to politically motivated employment practices in state government.Read More >>
Supreme Court Issues Decision in MAGE 3% Pay Lawsuit
Posted May 31st, 2016
I am disappointed to report that we have received a final ruling from the Supreme Court on our 3% lawsuit. Although MAGE prevailed at the Court of Claims, the State appealed to the Supreme Court. The court concluded that the Civil Service Commission has plenary and absolute authority over the compensation of state employees.
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May Legislative Report
Posted May 24th, 2016
Revenue estimates make budget more difficult, Senate pushes for prison closure/privatization, Flint water crisis, FOIA exemptions and more. Read More >>
2016 General Council
Posted May 23rd, 2016
On May 14, 2016 the MAGE General Council met at the Mt. Pleasant Comfort Inn Conference Center to elect the Board of Directors, and hear from many outstanding speakers. Read More >>
Cotter Proposal Would Make it Easier to Fire State Workers
Posted May 19th, 2016
House Speaker Kevin Cotter announced the introduction of a constitutional amendment that would make it easier to fire state government workers.
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THE SUPREME COURT HEARS CASE BETWEEN MAGE AND THE STATE OVER DENIED RAISES
Posted May 5th, 2016
The Michigan Supreme Court (MSC) heard oral arguments in case No. 147511 brought against the state by MAGE. Read More >>
MAGE and HotelStorm - A new benefit for you!
Posted April 26th, 2016
To use this benefit - log on the MAGE website (upper right hand corner of our main page). Go to Member Resources, then click on Member Benefits. There you will find a link for this MAGE member only discount! It pays to belong!Showdown Emerges On Prison Closures In Corrections Budget
Posted April 15th, 2016
A major disagreement has developed on the Department of Corrections budget with the chief senator on the topic backing a 2016-17 fiscal year budget proposal that would close two prisons and call for the department to lease and operate a privately owned prison in Baldwin.
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Please Welcome Peter Neu to the MAGE Labor Relations Team
Posted February 19th, 2016
Peter comes to us with more than 15 years experience. Having served most recently as a Labor Relations Specialist for the MI Dept. of State.Read More >>
Supreme Court Issues Order
Posted February 8th, 2016
Long awaited Supreme Court Order arrives on the State's Application for Leave to appeal in MAGE's 3% pay raise lawsuit.Read More >>
MAGE Assists Flint
Posted January 26th, 2016
Saturday the MAGE Board of Directors voted to assist Flint by donating water through UFCW 951 & Meijer.
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2016 General Council
Posted January 7th, 2016
General Council is the biennial meeting for MAGE members.Read More >>
March 2016 Legislative Report
Posted March 31st, 2016
The Legislature just embarked on their two week Spring Recess, also called the In-District Work Period. They will return on April 12 to continue work on the budget, Detroit Public School reforms, and other pressing issues. Fallout regarding the Flint Water Crisis continues to dominate the agenda, and there will likely be more discussions regarding assistance to Flint residents through the spring.Read More >>
Legislative Report as of January 28, 2016
Posted February 1st, 2016
Halfway through the 2015/16 legislative session, issues surrounding Flint water and Detroit Public Schools have dominated the recent legislative sessions. Read More >>
Civil Service Commission Approves Pay Increases for FY 16/17
Posted December 16th, 2015
MAGE President Al Quattrin testifies at the Civil Service Commission. Also presenting for MAGE were Carolyn Madding, Cassandra Craig and Bobbie Tigues. MAGE is successful in getting a change to the sick leave usage policy.Read More >>
December Legislative Report
Posted December 16th, 2015
Legislature Passes Road Fix Plan with Poison Pill Hidden Inside and Minimum Nursing Staffing Level Bill Introduced.Read More >>
Mandatory Overtime for RNs
Posted October 16th, 2015
As you may know, MAGE has been addressing this issue of mandatory overtime for our RN supervisors in DHHS for a very long time. We have met with numerous state representatives and convened countless meetings with the department.
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Michigan Association of Governmental Employees
OPEIU Local 2002
6920 S. Cedar, Suite 7
Lansing, MI 48911
OPEIU Local 2002
6920 S. Cedar, Suite 7
Lansing, MI 48911
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Phone: Fax: |
(800) 477-MAGE (517) 694-3123 (517) 694-8250 |