Snyder: Relationship with labor 'strained' after right-to-work - New York News | NYC Breaking News

Snyder: Relationship with labor 'strained' after right-to-work

Posted: Updated:

By Tim Skubick
Fox 2 News


LANSING, MICH. (WJBK) -- "Do you trust the governor today?" I asked UAW Vice President Cindy Estrada.

"No I don't," she answered.

There in a nutshell is the governor's challenge.  The fallout from the right-to-work debate has fractured his relationship with labor and vice versa.

"This obviously has strained relationships, strained it dramatically," said Gov. Rick Snyder.

Labor leaders such as Bob King from the UAW and MEA President Steve Cook were in talks with others for ten days with the governor's staff.  The governor confirmed he was not in the room, but used the phone to try to find a deal -- a deal that might have included letting the governor appoint the state Supreme Court justices and the state school superintendent, as well as abolish the state Board of Education, wipe out teacher tenure and make changes in civil services rules.

In the end, there was no deal.

Estrada argues the governor did not tell them where he was really going.

"I feel that he did not show the leadership.  I think that he led us down a path where he knew what he was going to do," she said.

Cook concludes, "We never really felt as we got into the later stages of the ten days that we had a working partner in all of this."

"I'm not sure that he was being altogether genuine when he said that he really wanted this issue off his desk."

However, Snyder also has got a clear problem -- trying to restore a good working relationship with labor.

"I view this as we had good dialogue.  I did it in good faith.  I have no doubt about that.  I have a clear conscience about it," the governor said.

  • Local NewsLocal News

  • Saturday, May 25 2013 9:17 PM EDT2013-05-26 01:17:14 GMT
    Windsor and Detroit officials have submitted a bid to host Wrestlemania in 2015 and/or 2016. It has become one of the biggest sports entertainment events in the country.
    Windsor and Detroit officials have submitted a bid to host Wrestlemania in 2015 and/or 2016. It has become one of the biggest sports entertainment events in the country. Wrestlemania is the SuperBowl of sports and entertainment.
  • Saturday, May 25 2013 8:29 PM EDT2013-05-26 00:29:51 GMT
    A man accused of killing his wife and two children in Novi in 2008 has been extradited from India to Metro Detroit to face murder charges. His arrest could end a five-year-old murder mystery.
    A man accused of killing his wife and two children in Novi in 2008 has been extradited from India to Metro Detroit to face murder charges. His arrest could end a five-year-old murder mystery.
  • Friday, May 24 2013 11:58 PM EDT2013-05-25 03:58:44 GMT
    Police say a woman was held captive at a hotel for several days and forced to have sex around the clock with multiple men, whoever would pay the price. 26-year-old Deante Brown now faces sex trafficking charges.
    Police say a woman was held captive at a hotel for several days and forced to have sex around the clock with multiple men, whoever would pay the price. 26-year-old Deante Brown now faces sex trafficking charges.
Powered by WorldNow
Didn't find what you were looking for?
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 Fox Television Stations, Inc. and Worldnow. All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Ad Choices