MESSAGE TOOLKIT ON SB 280

Release Time Really Means Taxpayer

Eciency Time
Paid release time for union ocials is really about making sure the publics work
is done in the most eective, aordable, and ecient manner.

Release Time could really be called Taxpayer Eciency Time, because it allows
public employee union ocials to work collaboratively with public employers by:

Actively participating in labor-management committee meetings, formal hearings,

and investigative interviews that are designed to make government run more
smoothly and eciently.

Processing grievances and appeals of employees in a bargaining unit to various

administrative agencies and the courts. By solving problems at the lowest
possible level rather than ignoring problems or letting them fester, this important
labor-management work helps to reduce the likelihood of legal action against
public employers.

Preparing for, negotiating, and enforcing collective bargaining agreements that

ensure public employees are providing the highest level of service to taxpayers at
the lowest possible cost.

It would be a costly, shortsighted mistake to undermine this important Taxpayer

Eciency Time.

SB 280 Interferes With Labor-Management

Relationships, Could Cost Taxpayers More
Labor-management committees have saved millions of taxpayer dollars. This bill
would interfere with and unravel this important relationship, and could actually
backfire and end up costing taxpayers more.

Workers serving in these important roles are doing the publics work, and it would
be oensive and fundamentally unfair to expect public employees to do this vital
work on their hard-earned vacation time, and at their own expense.

Instead of making government more ecient, this bill actually makes government
less ecient itll mean more grievances, and increased overtime costs for local
governments regarding contract negotiations.

Lies About Release Time And The Truth

When They Say

We Say

Taxpayers shouldnt have to foot the

bill for union business

These workers are doing the publics work. Paid

administrative leave could be called Taxpayer
Eciency Time, because its really about making sure
public employees are providing the best possible
service to taxpayers at the lowest possible cost.

This bill will save taxpayers money

Labor-management committees have saved

taxpayers millions. Not only will this bill not save
taxpayers one penny, but it will actually cost
taxpayers more by unraveling these important labormanagement committees, and with increased
grievances and contract disputes.

Release time really just gives union

bosses paid time o to do political
work on the taxpayers dime

This is simply not true. Michigan law already bans

public employees from doing any political work
during normal business hours.

This bill doesnt do anything to hurt

collective bargaining

This isnt about saving taxpayer money, its about

punishing public employees. This bill undermines
collective bargaining by forcing union ocials to use
their hard-earned vacation time and at their own
expense to enforce a collective bargaining agreement
without also restricting employers from being
compensated during their labor-management
meetings.