Prohibition On Student-Athlete Unions Heads To Snyder

The Senate passed House Bill 6074 on Tuesday with a 25-11 vote, sending the bill to Governor Rick Snyder’s desk for signing. If the bill is signed collective bargaining for college student athletes would be prohibited and the Michigan Employment Relations Commission (MERC) would be required to calculate expenses related to public collective bargaining. The bill would also require that a declaration naming the local units being represented be filed by exclusive bargaining representatives The MERC would receive $100,000 under HB 6074 to cover costs related to the posting of collective bargaining expenditures online.

The bill was passed close to party lines after being kept on the Senate floor, rather than being assigned to a committee, and being advanced to Third Reading. Senators Tory Rocca (R-Sterling Heights) and Tom Casperson (R-Escanaba) were the lone Republicans to oppose the bill, while Senate Minority Floor Leader Tupac Hunter (D-Detroit) was the sole supporter from the Democratic caucus.

The handling of the bill by the Senate drew criticism from Representative Andy Schor (D-Lansing), as he believed the lack of committee assignment kept the bill from being fully considered. Representative Schor furthered his questioning; saying that without hearing testimony from college athletes in committee the issue was being unfairly dismissed and an opportunity to help college athletes was being ignored.

The sponsor of the bill, Representative Al Pscholka (R-Stevensville), disagreed with Mr. Schor saying that the committee hearing in the House ensured that the legislation had not been rushed through the legislative process. Mr. Pscholka continued saying that the bill sent a much needed message to college student athletes, that the most important aspect of their time in college is their education and not becoming part-time employees of the university. Greg McNeilly, President of The Michigan Freedom Fund, joined in support of HB 6074, saying that the unionization of college athletes would increase the costs of a college education.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, December 19, 2014 12:26 PM
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