The Michigan Union Accountability Act:
A Step Toward Accountability and Democracy in Labor Organizations
Unions in Michigan represent over 900,000 workers and take in more than $250 million in membership dues annually. But in spite of their expansive wealth and political power, requirements that unions disclose their financial dealings are minimal. Reform of the federal reporting system, which governs private-sector unions, is needed but unlikely in the current political climate. Michigan can take the lead by passing its own Union Accountability Act, requiring annual financial disclosure reports and independent audits of public-sector union affiliates active in the Great Lakes State.
Contents
- Foreword
- Executive Summary
- Introduction
- The Nature and Scope of Union Revenues
- Government Subsidies and Other Sources of Union Support
- Corruption and Collaboration
- Union Political Involvement
- Current Disclosure Rules
- Disclosure Laws for Business
- A Legislative Solution: Amend Michigan's Public Employment Relations Act
- Constitutional and Statutory Authority for a Union Accountability Act
- Conclusion
- Appendix: Amending PERA: A Union Accountability Act for Michigan
- Acknowledgements
- About the Authors
