The Senate and House versions of Public Act 312 reform, changing the binding arbitration process for police and firefighters, both moved from the chambers’ respective Government Operations committees Tuesday with significant differences.
The Senate version includes a local government’s ability to pay as one of a list of factors in an arbitrator’s decision. Senate Bill 397, sponsored by Senator Rick Jones (R-Grand Ledge), cleared the committee on a bipartisan 4-1 vote with the support of unions and over the opposition of local government organizations.
The House version, meanwhile, passed from committee on a 3-2 straight party-line vote with the backing of local government organizations and opposition from unions. House Bill 4522, sponsored by Representative Jeff Farrington (R-Utica), states that the local unit’s ability to pay is the most-weighted factor in the arbitrator’s decision.
The full House and the full Senate have yet to take floor action on the respective bills.
Labels: Arbitration Reform