Business and Administrative Unit
Welcome to the Business and Administrative Unit Informational Page! As you may know Michigan State Employees Association is working to be the exclusive representative of State of Michigan Employees who fall under the Business and Administrative Unit. Below are some frequently asked questions. If you have any questions or would like to be involved, please reach out to our office at (517)394-5900 and speak to anyone on our organizing staff. If you prefer, you can also send us an email at AskStaff@msea.org.
What classifications are covered under the Business and Administrative Unit? How do I confirm I am part of the Business and Administrative Unit?
The Business and Administrative Unit encompasses a variety of classifications within state classified service that includes but is not limited to: accountants, admin law personnel, buyers, communications representatives, departmental analysts, departmental specialists, economic analysts, economic specialists, financial analysts, financial specialists, human resource developers, information technology personnel, property analysts, property specialists, regulation officers, and treasury investment staff.
If you would like confirmation that you are included in this group of classifications you can log into your SIGMA account, in the upper left corner click "Profile">"View Work Details">Union Local". Once you are here you should see a 3 digit code, a letter and two numbers, you are part of the Business and Administrative Unit if you see the code "Y23".
What is an exclusive representative?
An exclusive representative is a labor organization that represents employees of a work place who share a common interest. The group sharing a common interest has already been determined by the civil service commission and is identified by the business and administrative unit. Exclusive representatives have the duty of fair representation of all employees within the unit, engages in collective bargaining with the employer, and will represent employees within the unit under the contract for violations potentially committed by the employer.
MSEA will defend the contract (collective bargaining agreement) through the grievance procedure, represent employees in disciplinary and investigatory matters, can hold labor management meetings with employees and the employer to address on going issues within the workplace on the record, negotiate wages, benefits, and other mandatory subjects of bargaining as well as various permissive subjects of bargaining.
How is MSEA different than MAGE?
MAGE is a limited recognition organization under Civil Service Rules and Regulations 6-8.3. MAGE does not have the ability to negotiate wages or benefits with the employer, hold labor management meetings, establish a collective bargaining agreement with the employee, representative, and the employer. MAGE can only express the interest of the members but the employer is not obligated to listen or meet. They can represent members in the civil service grievance procedure, but MSEA also represents our members in civil service grievance procedures in addition to representation under the contract. MAGE has the right to speak to the employer, employment relations board, and civil service commission, MSEA also has this right.
MSEA as an exclusive representative also affords our members the right to a neutral third party arbitrator outlined in our constitution. This ensures if the grievance is not resolved under the first part(s) of the grievance procedure there would be a neutral 3rd party deciding the outcome unlike the civil service grievance procedure and hearing process.
Employees represented by an exclusive representative also have the ability to run for office with the labor organization, are eligible for Union Leave if all conditions are met, and are able to participate and assist the direction of the organization including during contract negotiations.
I am NERE, I thought we were not eligible for representation?
Employees who are not currently represented by an exclusive representative fall under the NERE category (Non-exclusively Represented Employees). The Business and Administrative Unit is eligible for representation but has not elected a representative. MSEA is proposing to be their representative if they so chose. By default, until the Business and Administrative Unit elects an exclusive representative, the employees within the unit will remain NEREs. There is a small sect of employees who are ineligible for representation however these employees hold classifications outside of the Y23 union code and are not part of the Business and Administrative Unit.
What if my employer/supervisor retaliates against me for supporting the organizing campaign?
It is an unfair labor practice for the employer to coerce, interfere, or discriminate against individuals for their union support and activity. Throughout the process of organizing, you are protected from being disciplined for supporting the organizing efforts. If you are disciplined for your activity regarding union support, MSEA will file the unfair labor practice (ULP) charges against the employer on your behalf and represent you throughout the process of the ULP. If we win the ULP case, the discipline can be overturned and removed. This however does not give employees a free pass as ULPs can be filed against the labor organization as well and does not prohibit the employer from disciplinary action for just cause.
What would be included in the contract that I don't already get?
Legacy wages, wage negotiations, class specific wage increases, benefit negotiations, just cause discipline standard, grievance procedure including final and binding neutral arbitration for the final step, training (workplace and union trainings), annua, sick, and personal leave, longevity pay, holidays, leaves of absence, health and safety, labor management, compensatory time, and overtime.
Who bargains the contract with the employer?
Being exclusively represented by MSEA affords the right to negotiate a collective bargaining agreement between the employees and the employer. MSEA would send a dedicated representative or two to assist the bargaining team comprised of the of leaders within the Business and Administrative Unit. MSEA would write proposals based on what the unit wants in the agreement and provide guidance on the bargaining process and assist with counter proposals and the administration of the bargaining process.
How much are Union dues?
MSEA's Constitution outlines the dues amount. Dues are deducted from your payroll automatically once you sign up and are equal to one hour of pay for each pay period. If you work less than fulltime, your dues amount is prorated. If you work more than 80 hours in a pay period your dues remain equal to one hour of pay.
Dues deductions would not take place until an agreed upon CBA (collective bargaining agreement) was reached and put in place
What is the next step?
Spread the word about MSEA and the benefits of having an exclusive representative. MSEA is holding virtual meetings which can be found on our events tab at msea.org or the event tab under the Business and Administration Unit header. If you or your co-workers would like to be added to our email list please contact MSEA office at (517)294-5900 or by emailing our Organizing and Communications Coordinator Jamie Swain at jswain@msea.org
Once we receive roughly 60% of interest cards back from the Business and Administrative Unit Employees, we can call for an election. This will allow Civil Service to hold an election to see if the unit wants exclusive representation. If successful in the election, MSEA would be your exclusive representative and the negotiation process can begin and the next step towards getting a collective bargaining agreement is kicked off.
How can I help?
Please talk to your co-workers, attend our information and update meetings, and if you would like to work on the campaign and talk to others in your unit, we will be hosting Volunteer Member Organizer (VMO) Trainings before sending you out to meeting with your co-workers! Check the events tab for those dates as well!