February 7, 2012 - 10:42pm
Attorney General files new appeal, motion to stay with circuit court
BY RAYZA GOLDSMITH
Despite being denied by the Michigan Supreme Court on Feb. 3, Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette filed another motion to appeal the Michigan Employment Relations Commissions’ decision to deny him the right to intervene in their proceedings regarding graduate student research assistants.
Though Schuette already filed such an appeal in January, it was denied on the basis of lacking jurisdiction in the state Supreme Court. The decision to appeal with the Circuit Court of Ingham County, Mich. is meant to fix the issue of jurisdiction.
Along with the appeal, Schuette also filed a motion to stay the hearing before administrative law judge Julia Stern, which began last Wednesday and ended yesterday.
Should the Court grant the appeal, Schuette, and potentially other groups opposed to GSRA unionization, would have the right to intervene in MERC proceedings on the issue. Furthermore, if the Court grants the motion to stay, it could have huge implications for the hearing that took place last week and yesterday.
Stephen Raiman, founder of Students Against GSRA Unionization and a Rackham graduate student, said he believes there is a chance the appeal could be successful.
“I’m encouraged that there is recognition within the judicial system that our case has merit,” Raiman said. “So I think, yes, it is likely that something will succeed and if not now, then eventually … If this is the correct jurisdiction, then I believe these justices will also agree that our case has merit.”
Raiman added that his group has not filed a similar appeal because they are busy preparing for the additional meeting before the administrative judge that will take place the week of Feb. 20, at which they will be permitted to present evidence, but he believes that if Schuette is granted the right to intervene at MERC proceedings, SAGU will be given the same right.
