Court Opinion

ID: 4378582
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2019-03-20 09:05:38.075142+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:49:14.779984
License: Public Domain

If this opinion indicates that it is “FOR PUBLICATION,” it is subject to
                 revision until final publication in the Michigan Appeals Reports.

                         STATE OF MICHIGAN

                          COURT OF APPEALS

MICHIGAN EDUCATION ASSOCIATION and                                UNPUBLISHED
ANN ARBOR EDUCATION ASSOCIATION                                   March 19, 2019
MEA/NEA,

              Respondents-Appellants,

v                                                                 No. 343570
                                                                  MERC
RONALD SHANE ROBINSON,                                            LC No. 16-005071

              Charging Party-Appellee.

Before: SAWYER, P.J., and CAVANAGH and K. F. KELLY, JJ.

PER CURIAM.

        Respondents Ann Arbor Education Association (AAEA) and Michigan Education
Association (MEA) appeal by petition, pursuant to MCL 423.216(e), the Michigan Employment
Relations Commission (MERC) final decision and order entered affirming the findings of the
Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) and entering a cease and desist order against respondents. We
affirm.

         This appeal arises from a labor dispute between charging party, Ronald Shane Robinson,
and respondents. Charging party was employed as a teacher in the Ann Arbor School District.
Charging party was in a bargaining unit represented by respondent and subject to a collective
bargaining agreement (CBA), titled 2009-2011 Master Agreement, executed by the AAEA and
the Ann Arbor School District on August 28, 2009. The expiration date of the CBA was August
30, 2011. The CBA included an agency shop provision that required bargaining unit members to
pay union membership dues or to pay nonmember agency service fees. The CBA provided, in
pertinent part, that “[t]eachers shall either submit a membership form or shall be considered
agency shop fee payers to [the Ann Arbor Education] Association.” The CBA also provided that
the employer, Ann Arbor School District, may deduct the membership or service fees from an
employee’s wages, although the CBA did not provide a procedure for respondents to collect the
fees if the employer did not deduct the fees or the employee did not submit the payment.

                                              -1-
        In December 2012, Michigan’s Legislature enacted 2012 PA 349, effective March 28,
2013, which amended the public employment relations act (PERA), MCL 423.201 et seq. 2012
PA 349 established a public employee’s right to refrain from organizing, forming, joining, or
assisting labor organizations; engaging in lawful activities for the purpose of collective
negotiation or bargaining; and negotiating or bargaining with their public employers through
representatives of their own choice. The amendments to MCL 423.209 also established a public
employee’s right to refrain from financially supporting a labor organization.

        On March 18, 2013, the AAEA and the Ann Arbor School District executed a
memorandum of agreement that addressed portions of the CBA. The memorandum of agreement
provided, in pertinent part, that “[i]f the Parties ratify this Agreement on or before March 27,
2013, this Section 3.100 ‘Membership Fees and Payroll Deductions,’ and subsections through
3.140, shall be effective immediately upon the ratification of the Agreement by both Parties and
shall continue in effect through June 30, 2016.”1

         On August 1, 2015, charging party resigned his membership in respondents and their
affiliates. On August 31, 2015, the MEA sent charging party a letter accepting his resignation of
membership, effective September 1, 2015. The MEA also sought past membership dues for the
2014-2015 school year. Charging party claimed that he paid all union membership dues in
October 2015.

       On December 18, 2015, the MEA sent charging party a letter and enclosed materials
regarding his obligation to pay a service fee as a nonmember of the union. The MEA sent these
materials, known as a Hudson notice, pursuant to Chicago Teachers Union, Local No 1 v
Hudson, 475 U.S. 292, 310; 106 S. Ct. 1066; 89 L. Ed. 2d 232 (1986), before attempting to collect
nonmember service fees from charging party. Charging party claimed that he subsequently
informed the MEA that he was not and would not become a member of the union. On February
15, 2016, charging party received a billing statement from the MEA.

        On February 26, 2016, charging party filed in propria persona an unfair labor practice
charge against the MEA alleging that the MEA improperly billed him for nonmember service
fees after he resigned his union membership and that the MEA’s billing statement constituted
harassment. Charging party filed an amended charge, alleging an unfair labor practice charge
against respondents under PERA, and joined the AAEA.

       After a hearing, the ALJ determined that respondents violated MCL 423.210(2)(a).
Respondents filed exceptions to the ALJ’s recommendation with MERC. After reviewing the
relevant facts and law, MERC agreed with the ALJ that respondents did not violate MCL

1
  Thereafter, on June 20, 2014, the AAEA and the Ann Arbor School District executed another
memorandum of agreement. This agreement did not address or otherwise amend the agency
shop provision of the 2013 memorandum of agreement. On August 11, 2015, the AAEA and the
Ann Arbor School District executed a memorandum of agreement that provided that the 2013
agency shop provision continued until June 30, 2016. This agreement did not otherwise amend
the agency shop provision of the 2013 memorandum of agreement.

                                               -2-
423.210(3) because the 2013 memorandum of agreement did not require charging party to pay
union membership dues or nonmember service fees as a condition of continued employment.
MERC held that, although the 2013 memorandum of agreement did not violate MCL 423.210(3),
the exception under MCL 423.210(5) did not apply and did not render the agreement lawful.
Finally, MERC agreed with the ALJ that this Court’s decision in Taylor Sch Dist v Rhatigan, 318
Mich. App. 617; 900 NW2d 699 (2016), applied to this case and was not factually distinguishable.
MERC agreed with the ALJ that respondents committed an unfair labor practice by violating
MCL 423.210(2)(a) and affirmed the ALJ’s decision and recommended order.

       On appeal, respondents argue that MERC erroneously applied this Court’s decision in
Taylor and that Taylor was improperly decided. We disagree.

        This Court reviews de novo MERC’s legal rulings. Calhoun Intermediate Sch Dist v
Calhoun Intermediate Ed Ass’n, 314 Mich. App. 41, 46; 885 NW2d 310 (2016). This Court
reviews MERC decisions pursuant to Const 1963, art 6, § 28, and MCL 423.216(e). Id.
“MERC’s legal determinations may not be disturbed unless they violate a constitutional or
statutory provision or they are based on a substantial and material error of law.” Id. (quotation
marks and citation omitted). This Court gives respectful consideration to MERC’s interpretation
of a statute, but MERC’s interpretation is not binding on this Court. MERC’s interpretation of a
statute “cannot conflict with the Legislature’s intent as expressed in the language of the statute at
issue.” Van Buren Co Ed Ass’n v Decatur Pub Sch, 309 Mich. App. 630, 639; 872 NW2d 710
(2015) (quotation marks and citation omitted).

        Panels of this Court must follow the rule of law established by a prior published decision
of this Court issued on or after November 1, 1990. Only the Michigan Supreme Court or this
Court by special panel may reverse a published opinion of this Court. MCR 7.215(J)(1).

        As a threshold matter, this Court must follow its decision in Taylor because it has
precedential effect as a published opinion of this Court. The Michigan Supreme Court denied
leave for this case, and a special panel of this Court has not been convened. Therefore, this panel
does not have the authority to reverse Taylor and must follow the Taylor holding. See MCR
7.215(J)(1).

        Additionally, the Taylor decision is directly applicable to this case. In this case, charging
party alleged that respondents requested nonmember service fees after he resigned from the
union and asserted his right to refrain from belonging to and financially supporting a labor
organization. On March 18, 2013, the AAEA executed the 2013 memorandum of agreement,
which mandated union membership and payment of membership dues or payment of a service
fee. As in Taylor, respondents in this case executed the agreement after the enactment of 2012
PA 349 but before its effective date of March 28, 2013. Charging party filed his unfair labor
practice charge in February 2016. PERA protected charging party’s right to refrain from
financially supporting a labor organization when charging party filed his charge, as in Taylor.
Finally, in this case, charging party similarly asserted that the enforcement of the 2013
memorandum of agreement was in violation of his rights guaranteed by MCL 423.209.

       This case is not factually distinguishable from Taylor. In both cases, MERC determined
that unfair labor practices in violation of MCL 423.210 occurred. The agreement in this case

                                                -3-
extended for three years, whereas the agreement in Taylor expired after 10 years. The agreement
in the instant case established a 3% wage reduction, whereas the charging parties in Taylor faced
a 10% wage reduction and suspension of pay increases. Finally, in this case, MERC did not
determine whether respondents breached their duty of fair representation, whereas the Taylor
Court held that MERC did not err by concluding that the respondent union violated its duty of
fair representation and committed an unfair labor practice. These factual differences were not
relevant to the determination whether respondents’ enforcement of the 2013 memorandum of
agreement after the effective date of 2012 PA 349 constituted an unfair labor practice. We
conclude that the Taylor decision is factually and legally relevant to this case. Therefore,
MERC’s legal conclusion that this Court’s decision in Taylor applied to this case was not a
substantial and material error of law. See W A Foote Mem Hosp v Jackson, 262 Mich. App. 333,
341; 686 NW2d 9 (2004) (“The rule of stare decisis generally requires courts to reach the same
result when presented with the same or substantially similar issues in another case with different
parties.”).

       Respondents next argue that MERC erred by concluding that the 2013 memorandum of
agreement did not require charging party to financially support the labor organizations as a
condition of his continued employment. Respondents also argue that the agency shop provision
was valid and enforceable because it was executed before the effective date of 2012 PA 349 and
was not subsequently extended or renewed. We disagree.

        “MERC’s factual findings are conclusive if they are supported by competent, material,
and substantial evidence on the record considered as a whole.” Calhoun, 314 Mich. App. at 46
(quotation marks and citation omitted). This Court will reverse a MERC determination only
upon a clear showing of error. AFSCME, 311 Mich. App. at 453. “This evidentiary standard is
equal to the amount of evidence that a reasonable mind would accept as sufficient to support a
conclusion. While it consists of more than a scintilla of evidence, it may be substantially less
than a preponderance.” Mount Pleasant Pub Sch v Mich AFSCME Council 25, 302 Mich. App.
600, 615; 840 NW2d 750 (2013) (quotations marks and citation omitted). “Further, review of
factual findings of the commission must be undertaken with sensitivity, and due deference must
be accorded to administrative expertise. Reviewing courts should not invade the exclusive fact-
finding province of administrative agencies by displacing an agency’s choice between two
reasonably differing views of the evidence.” Id. (quotation marks and citation omitted).

       MCL 423.210(3) provides, in relevant part:

              Except as provided in subsection (4), an individual shall not be required as
       a condition of obtaining or continuing public employment to do any of the
       following:

              (a) Refrain or resign from membership in, voluntary affiliation with, or
       voluntary financial support of a labor organization or bargaining representative.

              (b) Become or remain a member of a labor organization or bargaining
       representative.

                                               -4-
              (c) Pay any dues, fees, assessments, or other charges or expenses of any
       kind or amount, or provide anything of value to a labor organization or bargaining
       representative.

       MCL 423.210(5) provides:

              An agreement, contract, understanding, or practice between or involving a
       public employer, labor organization, or bargaining representative that violates
       subsection (3) is unlawful and unenforceable. This subsection applies only to an
       agreement, contract, understanding, or practice that takes effect or is extended or
       renewed after March 28, 2013.

        In this case, the agency shop provision provided that a teacher shall either become a
member of the labor organizations or shall be considered an agency shop fee payer, meaning that
a teacher must either pay union membership dues or pay a nonmember service fee. The 2013
memorandum of agreement also provided a procedure for a teacher’s employer to deduct the
membership dues or nonmember service fees from the teacher’s wages, but it did not provide a
mechanism for respondents to collect or enforce the payment of these fees. Additionally, neither
the 2013 memorandum of agreement nor respondents’ request for nonmember service fees
threatened charging party with termination or discharge from employment if he did not comply
with the request. We conclude that MERC’s finding that the agency shop provision did not
require charging party to pay union membership dues or nonmember service fees as a condition
of continued employment was supported by competent, material, and substantial evidence on the
record. We also conclude that MERC’s legal conclusion that respondents did not violate MCL
423.210(3) was not a substantial and material error of law.

        Further, MCL 423.210(5) does not render the agency shop provision in the 2013
memorandum of agreement lawful. The plain language of MCL 423.210(5) specifically provides
that an agreement that takes effect or is extended or renewed after March 28, 2013, is unlawful
and unenforceable if the agreement violates MCL 423.210(3). The Taylor Court held that MCL
423.210(5) applies only to agreements that violate MCL 423.210(3). See Taylor, 318 Mich. App.
at 631. As MERC correctly determined, respondents did not violate MCL 423.210(3).
Therefore, MCL 423.210(5) does not apply, regardless of when the 2013 memorandum of
agreement took effect or whether the agreement was extended or renewed. We conclude that
MERC did not commit a substantial and material error of law by concluding that MCL
423.210(5) did not apply and that it did not render the 2013 memorandum of agreement lawful.

        Finally, respondents raise the issue whether MERC erred by concluding that respondents
violated MCL 423.210(2)(a) in their statement of questions presented. We conclude that this
issue is deemed abandoned on appeal because respondent failed to brief the issue and failed to
present any authority to support its position. “An appellant may not merely announce its position
or assert an error and leave it to this Court to discover and rationalize the basis for its claims,
unravel or elaborate its argument, or search for authority for its position.” Wiley v Henry Ford
Cottage Hosp, 257 Mich. App. 488, 499; 668 NW2d 402 (2003). Additionally, “[i]nsufficiently

                                                -5-
briefed issues are deemed abandoned on appeal.” Blackburne & Brown Mtg Co v Ziomek, 264
Mich. App. 615, 619; 692 NW2d 388 (2004).2

       Affirmed.

                                                          /s/ David H. Sawyer
                                                          /s/ Mark J. Cavanagh
                                                          /s/ Kirsten Frank Kelly

2
  Charging party argues that the recent United States Supreme Court decision in Janus v
AFSCME Council 31, ___ US ___; 138 S. Ct. 2448; 201 L. Ed. 2d 924 (2018), provides additional
support for affirming the MERC decision. Charging party argues that the holding in Janus
rendered unconstitutional the nonmember service fees that respondents attempted to collect from
charging party. We need not take this opportunity to interpret the application of the Janus
decision because we affirm the MERC decision on other grounds.

                                              -6-