Michigan State administering program on how to unionize

By Jack Spencer | Michigan Capitol Confidential

Michigan State University is administering a program called the Building Trades Academy that teaches techniques aimed at unionizing employees. In reaction, state lawmakers are threatening to make cuts to MSU’s appropriations unless the university agrees to make changes.

Sen. Tonya Schuitmaker, R-Lawton, chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on the higher education budget, said MSU’s administration of such a program is not an acceptable use of state appropriation dollars.

“Michigan State University, a public university, has taken over the duties of the National Labor College; a failed private entity previously run by the AFL-CIO,” Sen. Schuitmaker said. “The ‘Building Trades Academy’ in partnership with Michigan State University, and run by MSU’s School of Human Resources and Labor Relations, offers courses that are geared toward, and designed for ‘building trades union officers, agents and experienced organizers.’ ”

at Michigan Capitol Confidential.