Union accuses Michigan Education Association of unfair labor practices in contract negotiations

Mich. (WNEM) – The Professional Staff Association (PSA), the largest of the three employee unions of the Michigan Education Association (MEA), has filed unfair labor practice (ULP) charges against the employer, claiming the MEA is not negotiating in good faith.

In its filing with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), PSA accused MEA of attempting to negotiate without reservation, retaliating for the failure of two tentative agreements, spreading inaccuracies about the nature and status of the negotiations, and terminating the contract by engaging outside counsel to perform work for PSA’s bargaining unit.

According to PSA, talks began in January, in the final year of a three-year contract. After two failed tentative agreements, PSA said, the MEA took a “take it or leave it” approach and later misrepresented the talks in communications with other staff unions, including reporting on a mediation that PSA had not agreed to.

PSA President Capalene Howse claims that MEA management has refused to put forward or consider proposals in line with an agreement ratified by the other professional staff union.

TV5 reached out to the MEA for comment but received no response.

MEA and PSA will begin negotiating a new contract this fall before the current agreement expires on December 31.

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