Lansing: Michigan unions: Reduce state managers, contracts

LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- Labor unions representing some state employees called Monday for state government to reduce management staffing levels and find savings from contractors. Unions including the United Auto Workers and the Service Employees International Union released a report calling for the changes as lawmakers prepare to take key votes related to the state budget year that begins in October. Unions say Michigan's state government work force is more top-heavy with supervisors and managers than some other states. They said changing the staff-to-manager ratio -- which the report said is now roughly 6 to 1 in the state classified work force -- would help the state focus on front-line services. Union representatives also called for reducing the cost of contracted services by 10 percent. Republican Gov. Rick Snyder is seeking $145 million in concessions from state employees for the next fiscal year. But union officials said they are releasing their recommendations independent of those negotiations. Snyder's spokeswoman Sara Wurfel said the administration needs to review the report's data. Published: Wed, May 25, 2011