Michigan “Protect Our Jobs” Amendment Only Protects Union Jobs
The proposed amendment states: “No existing or future law of the state or its political subdivisions shall abridge, impair or limit the foregoing rights.†This means that the so-called rights in the amendment could undo current and prevent future laws.
POJA enshrines unionization for both government and private-sector employees into the Michigan Constitution. In the private sector the issue is straightforward. The amendment would prevent any future law which gives workers the right to say no to a union and still keep their jobs — otherwise known as a right-to-work law.
The issue gets muddled for government unions. From Lansing to counties, cities and school districts across the state, elected officials make laws and set policy controlling work rules, wages and benefits for public employees. These elected officials are responsible to voters and, in theory, should act in the interest of taxpayers.
POJA would make their decisions moot because any collective bargaining agreement with government unions would have the power of the constitution and overrule state and local law.
The consequences are far reaching. Labor bosses, acting as a super-legislature, would have the ability to repeal many of the reforms that have helped Michigan start to turn the corner after a decade of malaise. Elected representatives would be powerless to stop them. Unions would have a veto for laws, but unlike the governor they could veto legislation enacted years ago and no legislature could override them with a two-thirds vote.
Examples of the vast number of laws and reforms POJA could effectively repeal include: