The bill amends the 1947 Public Act 336, which governs strikes by certain public employees in Michigan. It introduces new definitions and clarifications regarding terms such as "public employee," "bargaining representative," and "lockout." Notably, the bill expands the definition of "public employee" to include graduate student research assistants and students participating in intercollegiate athletics at public universities, while removing previous language that excluded these groups from collective bargaining rights. Additionally, it clarifies that individuals employed by private organizations under contract with the state are not considered public employees.

The bill also modifies the language surrounding the rights of public employees to express grievances or opinions related to their employment conditions, ensuring that such expressions do not interfere with their job performance. Overall, the amendments aim to enhance the rights and definitions related to public employees while maintaining the framework for managing labor disputes and collective bargaining in Michigan.

Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 423.201