When it came time for closed session to discuss union contracts at the Dec. 2 Independence Township Board meeting, Trustee Neil Wallace was hesitant.
‘I think it’s inappropriate for us to go into closed session on both of these matters,? said Wallace. ‘I had an opportunity to review the open meetings act. Particularly with respect to the non-union employees, I think that’s pretty clear.?
However Greg Shultz, township labor attorney, disagreed.
‘This group of employees (department heads) we’re talking about are not technically non-union,? said Shultz.
‘They are in the early unionization process, so closed session is appropriate,? he said.
Wallace said he didn’t see any exceptions in the statute for somebody ‘who’s threatened to become a union or taken steps to become a union that you can go into closed session.?
If they did, they could violate the open meetings act and ‘taint the whole situation.?
‘They have voted and are certified as a union,? reaffirmed Shultz.
Non-union employees, which include all full-time department directors, department assistant directors, and administrative assistants, filed a petition March 24 to join Teamsters Local 214, based out of Detroit.
The board voted 6-1 to enter closed session. Wallace voted against. When they came out of closed session, Wallace said he was concerned about AFSCME ‘because it takes away from us a flexibility that we need, particularly when we cannot see very far into the future.?
He moved for the bargaining team to go back to the table to come up with a better agreement.
Treasurer Curt Carson agreed.
‘I’m concerned about the flexibility and I’m concerned about our taxpayers,? said Carson. ‘I’d just as soon go back and see how we can keep these people employed so they’re not on the unemployment line with thousands of others that we live next door to.?
The board voted unanimous to deny a two-percent increase and renegotiate.
‘I was very disappointed in the vote and hopefully we can work out a contract that’s fair to both sides,? said Craig Richardson, long-time township Department of Public Works worker. ‘I think things will work out on both sides.?
Concerning the Teamsters, Wallace felt the board ‘should and needs? to table any action with regards to compensation.
Lohmeier agreed.
‘I think we would all like to address this issue as soon as the opportunity presents itself, but for now I think we should table it,? he said.
The board voted unanimous to table.
‘We’re hoping at our next board meeting to have the differences resolved,? said Supervisor Dave Wagner.