LANSING, Mich. — A voluntary tentative agreement that includes a commitment that could lead to the potential implementation of innovative new reforms sought by workers was reached on contracts covering 35,000 state employees, the Coalition of State Employee Unions announced today.

“Both sides worked hard to reach an agreement that recognizes the value of state employees who work on the front lines every day for Michigan's citizens and the need for shared sacrifice as the state addresses its budgetary challenges,” said Cindy Estrada, International Vice President of the UAW. “The tentative agreement contains groundbreaking provisions that require the parties to work together on new solutions to address long-­standing structural operational inefficiencies and identify health care reforms that could save the state hundreds of millions of dollars.”

Estrada is chief spokesperson for the International UAW, UAW Local 6000, SEIU Local 517M, AFSCME Council 25, Michigan Corrections Organization and Michigan State Employees Association. 

The unions comprise the historic coalition that coordinated bargaining with the state and spoke with one voice during negotiations. The two sides have been bargaining since July. Employees represented by coalition unions work throughout the state as social service workers, highway engineers, corrections officers, safety inspectors, electricians, resident care aides, food service leaders and others providing vital services for the citizens of Michigan. 

The parties have agreed to examine the proposals contained in the report called New Solutions for Michigan which recommends the state and its employees collaborate to address structural changes and create efficiencies that will enable state employees to better serve the citizens of Michigan. Individual coalition unions will now begin the membership ratification process on the tentative agreement, which will conclude within the next few weeks. The ratified agreements are subject to approval by the Michigan Civil Service Commission.