PETOSKEY — The North Central Michigan College Educational Support Professional Association (NCMC-ESP) today filed a second Unfair Labor Practice charge against NCMC for failing to bargain in good faith. The bargaining unit, composed of custodial, maintenance and office personnel, began its affiliation with the MEA following a successful union representation election in May 2018. Collective bargaining on the initial contract began in 2019.

“NCMC once again violated state law when a member of the administrative team told an employee ‘… they would get a pay raise once the union was gone.’ Additionally, the college’s administration held meetings with a private insurance consulting firm excluding representatives from the recognized bargaining team of the Union,” said Kurt Murray, MEA UniServ Director.

The cited incidents, when coupled with nearly three years invested in efforts to reach a fair collective bargaining agreement, makes it clear NCMC representatives are not bargaining with sincere intent, and that their actions constitute glaring examples of failing to participate in good faith bargaining. The employer’s inappropriate activities have forced our union to file additional charges with the State to address their illegal actions. A hearing before the Michigan Employment Relations Commission will be held within the coming weeks.

“We’ve seen efforts in Congress to move legislation to protect workers’ rights to organize against threats, intimidation and coercion. Those concerns continue even after a successful organizing campaign. Stalling at the bargaining table (in the hope employees will tire of the struggle and decertify the union) and suggesting an increase in wages will only occur if the union is gone are both illegal acts on the part of employers. We remain committed to holding this employer accountable for those illegal acts,” Murray stated.