LEO members come together as elections and bargaining loom

Union solidarity and determination on display at Annual Convention 

LEO members filled the Anderson Room in the Michigan Union on Saturday, October 27, 2012, pledging support for their bargaining team in the upcoming contract negotiations and Proposition 2 in the November 6th elections.  

President Bonnie Halloran welcomed convention delegates and discussed what was at stake for the local in this critical year.  Sheryl Edwards, LEO's chief negotiator, presented the bargaining platform for formal approval, which the convention granted enthusiastically.  Jim Anderson, LEO Treasurer, gave a financial report for 2012 and presented the Union Council's proposed 2013 budget, which was unanimously approved.  

Members also brainstormed ideas for building strength in its contract negotiations with the University, which will begin at the end of November and continue into early 2013.

During lunch, David Hecket, President of AFT Michigan, gave a rousing speech in support of Proposition 2, the proposed constitutional amendment that would guarantee collective bargaining rights to all workers in Michigan and prevent so-called "right to work" legislation.  

Many members left the convention with Prop 2 yard signs to plant in their yards, and joined on Saturday afternoon with other union activists to canvass Ann Arbor neighborhoods on behalf of the proposal.

Also see LEO president reports on convention and canvassing.