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2012 Senate Bill 971: Limit unionization of grad student research assistants
Introduced by Sen. Randy Richardville R-Monroe on February 15, 2012
To establish that state university graduate students who work as research assistants are not considered government employees for purposes of enrolling them into a union. This relates to a Mackinac Center lawsuit filed on behalf of graduate student research assistants (GSRAs) at the University of Michigan. See also House Bill 4003, which would more broadly prohibit “stealth unionizations,” including an ongoing one involving home heath care aides and the SEIU union.   Official Text and Analysis.
Referred to the Senate Government Operations Committee on February 15, 2012
Reported in the Senate on February 22, 2012
With the recommendation that the amendment be adopted and that the bill then pass.
Amendment offered in the Senate on February 22, 2012
To only exempt grad student research assistants from being deemed "employees" subject to unionization if the work they do does not meet an IRS "20 factor test" of employee status.
The amendment passed by voice vote in the Senate on February 22, 2012
To establish that state university graduate students who work as research assistants are not considered government employees for purposes of enrolling them into a union, if their work terms do not meet an IRS "20 factor test" for employee status. This relates to a Mackinac Center lawsuit filed on behalf of graduate student research assistants (GSRAs) at the University of Michigan. See also House Bill 4003, which would more broadly prohibit “stealth unionizations,” including an ongoing one involving home heath care aides and the SEIU union.
Received in the House on February 22, 2012
Referred to the House Government Operations Committee on February 22, 2012
Reported in the House on February 29, 2012
Without amendment and with the recommendation that the bill pass.
Amendment offered by Rep. Vicki Barnett D-Farmington Hills on March 1, 2012
To leave the decision on whether student research assistants are "employees" who can be forced to pay union dues or fees to the Michigan Employment Relations Commission, which is essentially the status quo without the bill.
The amendment failed by voice vote in the House on March 1, 2012