LANSING, MI (AP)-- Michigan public-sector union leaders say a new set of prohibited subjects made it difficult for the unions to negotiate contracts.
The Lansing State Journal reports unions were barred from discussing scheduling overtime, job transfers and recalls. Union leaders say they were able to negotiate pay and benefits with the state.
Andy Potter is the executive director of the Michigan's Corrections Organization. He says this year's negotiations were "unsettling and one-sided" because of the restrictions.
The Civil Service Commission, which approves union contracts, changed collective bargaining rules in September 2017 despite hundreds of union members protesting the move. The rules went into effect this January.
Office of State Employer spokesman Kurt Weiss says bargaining operated similarly to previous years despite the changes.
