9/5/25 Update and clarification on several topics
Hybrid pension bills- The lawsuit filed by the Senate against the House of Representatives over the failure to send the bills to the Governor will go before the Michigan Court of Appeals in Detroit on September 9, 2025. This mess is dirty politics at its worst. We know it and every legislator in this state including the Governor knows it.
Upcoming pay raises- The 3% base pay increase will take effect on Oct. 1, 2025. The additional top pay step increase of $1.30 per hour will take effect on Oct. 12, 2025 (first full pay period). These two pay increases are listed in different parts of the contract. The 3% raise across all pay steps is in Article 27 of the contract. The $1.30 per hour increase to the top of the E9 pay scale is in Letter of Understanding #27 in the back of the contract. Note- we are still trying to secure the $1.30 per hour increase at the top of the E10 pay scale by way of a new letter of understanding with the Office of the State Employer.
State budget questions- Right now the Senate, the House, and the Governor are all in discussions about finalizing the state budget for next fiscal year. The House is causing a stir with state employees because in their initial budget proposal they did not include funding for the negotiated pay increases for state employees. The Senate and Governor did include the funding for the raises. It is not uncommon for these legislators to do this type of political posturing while they try to get what they want in the budget.
Reports on violence and drug use- we will continue sending our reports on staff assaults, prisoner assaults, prisoner fights, disturbances, drug exposures, and drug use by prisoners to every legislator and news media outlet. We need members to report all assaults and fights. Report incidents to your local reps, send via email to reports@mco-seiu.org or call the office at 517-485-3310.
Chapter elections- The month of September is the open window period to run for MCO positions at your facility. The information should already be posted on your MCO bulletin boards at the facility. If it is not posted at your facility, please contact the MCO office asap at 517-485-3310. To submit your name to run for a position, all you have to do is send an email to nominations@mco-seiu.org stating that you wish to nominate yourself for whichever position you are seeking.