Township delays decision on unionization request

IRONWOOD TOWNSHIP - Citing, in part, that job descriptions were in the process of being rewritten, the board of trustees voted to table Rachel Peck's request to join Michigan Council 25 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

Robert Murphy - a staff representative with the union - spoke on behalf of Peck, who serves as the township's secretary and deputy treasurer. Murphy asked the board to voluntarily recognize Peck's union membership.

The board expressed hesitation with the lack of a job description for Peck in the agreement Murphy proposed.

"That would be my biggest concern at this point. We're in the process of going through and possibly rearranging how we are doing things here in the township," said Trustee Kevin Lyons.

Since the other two township employees who belong to the union have their job descriptions specified in the collective bargaining agreement, Murphy said that would limit the township's ability to unilaterally modify the job descriptions. However, he added that he didn't foresee the union demanding much participation in the creation of a job description.

The board expressed a desire to wait until the process of amending job descriptions was complete.

"I would like to table (the request) for the simple fact that the personnel committee is sitting down and working on job descriptions, and modifying them, and making them work to our advantage," said Trustee Kathy Maki. "I would prefer that we have that in place before we can make any decision."

Several trustees clarified that their hesitation wasn't necessarily due to Peck's request so much as the timing of it related to the modification of job descriptions.

When asked what would happen if the board rejected the request, Murphy replied that he would file a petition with the Michigan Employment Relations Commission, which would order an election, the results of which seem clear.

"One person, one vote, so I would guess that she would be successful," said Murphy.

Murphy acknowledged that there were some instances where clerical staff could be prevented from joining the union - such as when they deal with some confidential information. He argued that the standard the commission uses to determine whether she can unionize was known as "a community of interest."

"Does she have a relatively similar function within the township as her peers would have ... if you go to Watersmeet or to Marenisco, both of their clerical secretaries are covered," Murphy said.

Peck's position is slightly different as she also serves as deputy treasurer. However, Murphy proposed the board accept language to negate that obstacle. Murphy's proposed language would make clear that Peck serves at the pleasure of the treasurer and mandates that she be notified within 30 days if the treasurer wishes to appoint a replacement.

Clerk Gayla Salmi also expressed some reservation over Peck's role in handling confidential material and whether she could possibly fall into one of those clerical positions that can be prevented from unionizing.

According to the wording of the board's motion, it will reach a decision on Peck's request at its March 9 meeting.