CLOSUP's Michigan Public Policy Survey on union concessions appears in Bridge Magazine, MLive.com, more

Bridge Magazine and MLive.com outlined key findings from a new Michigan Public Policy Survey (MPPS) published by the Center for Local, State, and Urban Policy (CLOSUP).

The survey, "Michigan's local leaders satisfied with union negotiations," presents government leaders' assessments of bargaining efforts with unions this year. The report found that Michigan leaders believe unions more frequently made concessions during negotiations on pay, benefits, and staffing. The report attributed this in part to local governments' declining revenue.

"Many unions came to the table understanding that the money's just not there," Tom Ivacko, program manager for CLOSUP, told MLive.com.

The report also found that 60 percent of Michigan jurisdictions with unions plan to seek further concessions from unions in the coming year.

The survey received additional coverage from ENews Park Forest, WOLV Radio 97.7 FM, MiVote, and WATZ 96.7 FM.