McBroom amendment on civil service rules helps ensure professional care for Michigan vets
LANSING – The Michigan AFL-CIO hailed the passage of important veterans home legislation today by the Michigan Senate.
The state labor federation had previously opposed the package of bills, which originally sought to bypass civil service commission rules that ensure a professional, long-term workforce in state government. However, an amendment added last night by Rep. Ed McBroom (R-Vulcan) requires veterans home employees be subject to civil service commission rules, which will help ensure well-qualified caregivers are hired at new Michigan veterans homes.
“This is a big win for Michigan veterans,” said Ron Bieber, president of the Michigan AFL-CIO. “We need to honor the service and sacrifice of the men and women who protected us in uniform, and this important legislation paves the way for the state to build new veterans homes across the state.
“The lesson from the Grand Rapids Veterans Home is that privatization just doesn’t work. J2S routinely cut corners to pad their profits while our veterans were forced to live in deplorable, substandard conditions. We must never allow that to happen again.
“Thanks to Rep. McBroom’s amendment, this package of bills helps ensure that new veterans homes hire a professional, well-trained staff to care for our veterans. Rep. McBroom deserves a lot of credit for his leadership, and we’re thrilled to see these bills advance.”
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