FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: May 6, 2026
Contact: Chad Cyrowski, CCyrowski@miaflcio.org, 248.867.9508
LANSING, MI — Today, Michigan’s labor movement gathered outside the Michigan Supreme Court prior to arguments in the case regarding pro-labor bills that have been unconstitutionally stalled by Republican House Speaker Matt Hall since the beginning of 2025.
“The sanctity of the Michigan Constitution and the separation of powers in our state hinge on the outcome of this case,” said Ron BIEBER, president of the Michigan AFL-CIO. “We are not only fighting for the workers impacted by the stalled bills, but also for the rule of law in Michigan. There are no kings in Michigan or America. We urge the Michigan Supreme Court to follow Michigan’s constitution.”
“The House is constitutionally obligated to transmit all bills that pass the legislature to the governor,” said attorney Mark BREWER, counsel for the Michigan Senate and Michigan AFL-CIO. “We urge the Michigan Supreme Court to uphold Michigan’s Constitution and order the House to transmit these bills to the governor.”
“When I talk to our members, I don’t just hear about policy. I hear about the kitchen table conversations. I hear about the anxiety of a parent looking at healthcare premiums that are climbing while their paycheck stays the same. I hear from the workers who are staring at their retirement plans, wondering if the promises made to them will actually be kept,” said Tracy CARLTON, president of AFSCME Local 496. “This isn’t just ‘politics as usual.’ This is real life. And while Matt Hall plays political games, my members are paying the price.”
“Michigan Republicans have wasted time and taxpayer dollars fighting to keep life expensive and hard for working Michiganders,” said state Rep. Mai XIONG (D-Warren). “They are the only thing that stands in the way of these bills being signed into law and providing immediate relief for hundreds of thousands of workers across the state, and they have used every desperate legal maneuver possible to try and prevent it. But now they’ve reached the end of the line, and they’ve got no more tricks to hide behind. This court ruling is crucial and would set an important precedent. I’m hopeful that the Michigan Supreme Court will affirm the state constitution to ensure these bills get to the governor’s desk.”
“Now, I’ve been with STARS for 30 years — which is about how long it feels like I’ve been waiting for Speaker Matt Hall to send the stalled bill to governor Whitmer for her signature. That’s unacceptable,” said Jennifer WIRRICK, 30 year bus driver with the Saginaw Transit Authority Regional Services.
“The financial stress being placed on educators through Speaker Hall’s inaction is unsustainable — and it’s driving great Michigan educators out of the profession, leaving our kids without enough qualified teachers to provide them the education they need and deserve,” said Kim SANDEFUR, a teacher in Comstock Public Schools and a constituent of Hall’s. “I’m one of many teachers and parents in Matt Hall’s district — and across the state — who are struggling and need our leaders to listen to us. We are eager for the Supreme Court to fix this and order the Speaker to finally send these bills to Gov. Whitmer for her signature.”
“We are standing on the side of the rule of law. We are standing for the Michigan Constitution,” said Clyde GENTRY, a motor carrier officer with the Michigan State Police. “We aren’t asking for anything extra. We are simply demanding that Speaker Hall follow the oath he took. Send the bills to the Governor. Stop the chaos. Stop the obstruction.”
“I’ve heard firsthand how this blocked legislation would provide our state corrections officers with the retirement they deserve and address staffing shortages that contribute to unsafe conditions in our prison facilities,” said Sen. SHINK. “By blocking these bills, House Republicans are not only failing their constituents and workers statewide — they are turning their backs on those who sacrifice every day to make our communities safer.”
Members of Michigan’s labor movement, including AFSCME Michigan, AFT Michigan, MNA, UAW, USW, SEIU Michigan and the MEA, joined Senate Democrats’ suit against House Speaker Matt Hall, urging the courts to order the immediate presentation of long-delayed, pro-worker legislation to Governor Gretchen Whitmer. The wages, healthcare, and retirement security of Michigan’s working families, public employees, and law enforcement officers are dependent on the outcome of this case.
The Michigan AFL-CIO, Michigan’s largest labor organization, is a federation representing forty different labor organizations, eighteen different central labor councils, and eight constituency groups representing over 1 million union members and their families.
Video of the press conference is available upon request.
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