Whitmer Blasts Civil Service Commission Action That Attacks Frontline State Employees 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 5, 2020

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Governor Whitmer Blasts Civil Service Commission Action That Attacks Frontline State Employees

LANSING, Mich. — Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued the following statement today blasting the Michigan Civil Service Commission for a proposed action that would weaken collective bargaining rights for state employees who are working on the frontlines to keep Michiganders safe from COVID-19. All four of the current civil service commissioners were appointed by the previous administration.

“Make no mistake, this action is a direct assault on our hardworking state employees, who are serving bravely on the frontlines to protect the people of Michigan from COVID-19,” said Whitmer. “We are in the middle of a global pandemic and the worst economic crisis in our lifetimes, and the notion that Civil Service Commission would choose this moment to take power away from our health care workers, road repair workers, corrections officers, and unemployment call center employees is unthinkable. This action will make it harder for these frontline workers to negotiate together for strong wages, health care, and a secure retirement. I’m calling on the civil service commissioners to do the right thing and reject this anti-worker proposal. Our frontline state workers have our backs, and now it’s time for us to have theirs.”