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 "bargaining representative," "commission," "lockout," and "public employee." 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 emphasizes that public employees retain the right to express grievances or opinions related to their employment conditions, provided that such expressions do not interfere with their job performance. This amendment aims to protect the rights of public employees while maintaining the integrity of public services. Overall, the changes reflect a shift towards inclusivity in the definition of public employees and reinforce their rights to communicate about employment conditions.

Statutes affected:
House Introduced Bill: 423.201