Group runs anti-union advertising campaign in Michigan

24 Aug 2005 // An advertising campaign aimed against public-employee unions in Michigan is igniting backlash from school and government workers.

The Washington-based Center for Union Facts hit the airwaves last week with its latest campaign criticizing unions, specifically the National Education Association, which has a powerful Michigan affiliate.

A television ad shows a student giving a presentation to her class about teachers' unions, which she alleges use dues to "block education reforms" and support politicians. The girl notes the national union pays its president more than $300,000 a year in salary and benefits.

"Cha-ching," she says.

Another TV ad features workers at a government motor vehicle department happily discussing their sick pay and time off while ignoring a long line of customers. Full-page newspaper ads also are appearing in Michigan, and a similar ad campaign is being waged in Montana, Nevada and Oregon. The four-state campaign cost $1 million.

Richard Berman, executive director of the Center for Union Facts, said Wednesday the "provocative" ads are designed to drive people to the group's Web site, which has information about lobbying by public-sector unions.

"I'm not really against unions," he said in a phone interview. "I'm against abusive union power and whether unions abuse members or in this case abuse taxpayers."

Union Facts receives money from individuals, businesses and foundations, but Berman refused to give names.

Michigan unions criticized the ad campaign.

Margaret Trimer-Hartley, spokeswoman for the 167,000-member Michigan Education Association, said it is unfortunate union members are being portrayed as "evil, greedy thugs."

"Working men and women have learned over the years that they don't have a strong voice unless they band together," she said. "It's not greedy or evil to try to maintain health care for your family."

The MEA raises money and lobbies because that is what it takes to participate in the political process, Trimer-Hartley said.

Several upset MEA members have called or e-mailed the union asking if it will respond to the anti-union ads, but Trimer-Hartley said it does not have "millions of dollars" to counter with its own ads.

Berman said he is concerned that pension and health care plans in the public sector are underfunded across the country.

Trimer-Hartley echoed worries about underfunded plans but said Union Facts is wrong to think it is something to be solved at the bargaining table.

"They're much bigger issues that will require national courage and national creativity," Trimer-Hartley said.

Sandra Parker, president of UAW Local 6000, which represents 17,000 unionized state employees, also blasted the ads.

She pointed out that state workers have agreed to concessions to help the state during tough budget times. In recent years they had unpaid days off and worked 40 hours a week but were paid for 38. The two hours could be banked for vacation time or paid when employees retired or left state service.

"They haven't recognized the sacrifices we made when the state was in trouble," Parker said of Union Facts.

She also questioned the average salary for state workers posted on the group's Web site, saying that includes salaries for directors and other executives in state government who are not unionized.

Berman said there was no special reason why Michigan was targeted for ads, saying his group's message is national.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Michigan is one of five states with a union membership rate above 20 percent, at about 930,000 workers. The national average is 12.5 percent.