1982-09-03; Central Michigan Life

              Central Michiga
Vol. 64 No. 3
1982 CM LIFE
Mount Pleasant, Mich. 48859
22 pages
Friday. Sept. 3,1982
STs vote to Join state-wide union
hu IANPT HACaTIMftC * —      . .   ..    ...„._. ^
by JANET HASTINGS
LIFE Managing Editor
In an election which had an 87 percent voter turnout, the 141
Supervisor/Technicals on campus decided Wednesday to unionize
with a state encompassing union rather than a campus one.
By a vote of 65 to 31 the group chose to unionize with the
Michigan Education Support Personnel Association rather than the
CMU Staff Association, said Terry Stoner, associate director of Personnel and Staff Relations.
There were 26 votes for no union and one spoiled ballot.
The STs chose MESPA because as a state-wide union it would be
able to offer professional lobbying and legal service the smaller
Staff Association would not, said Ruth Helwig, a member of the ST
Information Committee for the unionization movement.
Employees with either technical or first-line supervisory respon-
"I am very pleased with the choice.
We will have more of a real voice in
what is going on." —Ruth Helwig, member of ST Information Committee
sibilities are considered to be STs.
Although the Staff Association was not chosen, LaRae Parker,
Staff Association president, said she does not believe the election
was a win-lose situation.
"I am pleased people had the chance to express their views. I am
glad they choose MESPA over no union because the group should
have representation," Parker said.
The group was given three choices in the election supervised by
the Michigan Employment Relation Commission. It could vote to
join MESPA, the Staff Association, or not to unionize at all.
"I am very pleased with the choice. We will have more of a real
voice in what is going on," said Helwig, library acquisition technician.
"Before, if there was a problem with working conditions we would
meet with the Administration and confer and if we didn't agree it
would go the Administration's way."
Helwig said the decision to seek a union was a precautionary
move brought on by the uncertainty of the economy.
"Of course we had grievances with the Administration but
nothing real serious," Helwig said. "Forming a union gives us a
chance to bargain instead of confer. Putting things in writing will
(See "STs"—page 2)
Wet words
CMUft/tHcl
Even the torrential rain showers did not dampen the words preached by
Daryl Holloman, of Mount Pleasant, near Park Library Thursday. Holloman.
an ordained minister, read verses directly from his Bible while students tried
to keep dry between classes.
Ex-marine faces
financial snafu
by PAUL MASON
LIFE Staff Writer
Marines are trained to survive and that is what Dean
Mielke, a United States Marine
Corp veteran, is doing.
Mielke's surviving, though,
has nothing to do with combat.
Mielke. Gladwin junior, is "on
the verge of starvation," he said.
Mielke is eligible to receive
financing for education under
the GI Bill. Under the bill, a
veteran is allowed $342 per
month for 45 months for educational and living expenses. The
bill ended rm Deese>mb<M- SI. 197C
Veterans' education benefits are
"I'm either going to succeed and restore the PeH Grant or faff and itot'"■£*
worse off/' —Dean Mfeffce, Qmwd-
any
wm Junior
now calculated as financial aid
dollars, he said.
GI benefits are now counted
as 50 percent of family income in
determining financial aid, due to
legislation passed in 1981. The
ttAr* l-Mteltaaai its I     ilite^ MXJOOO
veterans     ineligible    for    Pell
Grants in 1982.
The budget cutting measure
was a $30 million savings to the
federal government.
Most veterans are not eligible
law fail arsuUm.Joa-,i\tmar Imsmm est
(See "Veteran"—page 9)
More money, support
part of Zinser plan
by ROB ISELER
LIFE Staff Writer
The phrase "time is money" fits state Senate
candidate Donald Zinser to a "T" at this point in
the campaign.
Zinser, who was in Mount Pleasant Wednesday
to get "acquainted" with President Harold Abel,
said his organization does not have nearly as
large a campaign money chest as opponent and
current incumbent for the 35th District John
Engler, R-Mount Pleasant.
The newly reapportioned 35th district of the
state Senate includes Isabella, Gratiot, Clare.
Osceola, Mecosta, and Midland counties.
"That's the thing we have got to overcome
(Engler's funds) " Zinser said. "Given enough
money he could be beaten."
"My time is money to me. I am a small-business
man." said Zinser, who also currently is mayor of
Clare.
The county Democratic parties in the 35th
District have not promised the Zinser campaign
"That's the thing we
have got to overcome
(Engler's funds). Given
enough money he could be
beaten." — Donald Zinser,
state senate candidate
any funding yet, he said.
Zinser said he does not have any official support yet but he is working on getting some big
names in the state Democratic party to campaign
for him.
Most of the political action committees, unions
and the Democratic Party itself are in the process
of making decisions now on funding. Zinser said.
The state Democratic Party usually does not
make funding decisions until after the convention, which took place last weekend, he added.
(See "Zinser"—page 5)
Township fire protection in limbo
by DAVE ELLIS
LIFE Ass'L News Editor
Fire department calls could go unanswered in Union Township
next year if voters do not approve a fire protection proposal on the
November ballot, according to township officials.
The township, which surrounds Mount Pleasant, currently contracts with the city for fire protection but rising costs and possible
cuts in federal funds could put the service beyond Union's financial
reach. Supervisor Keith Decker said at a board meeting Wednesday
night.
Creating a fire protection district would permit the board to levy
a special millage for the service. The millage could be used to continue city-provided protection or fund a township fire department.
Decker said.
The special levy would be about 2 mills if the board elects to go
with city service. A millage levy for a township fire department has
not yet been determined. Decker said.
The millage could fluctuate from year to year with the cost of fire
protection.
The current city fire contract expires at the end of the year, and
the city of Mount Pleasant wants to increase Union's bill to 2 mills
assessed against the township's state equalized value. Currently,
the township pays 1.5 mills for the service.
Union currently pays for the service with general operating
budget funds — money from federal and state revenue sharing programs and the county. Decker said.
But the federal funds — about $20,000 — are in danger of being
cut with other federal budget cutting, Decker said.
That, coupled with the increased cost of the service, could cause
the township to run out of fire protection funds in a year if the
special district is not approved. Decker said.
Under the present assessment, the township pays about $78,000
for the service, but because of a recent increase in state equalized
value and the increase requested by the city, next year's fire protection tab would be about $104,000. Decker said.
Based on a yearly average of 50 fire runs, the amount translates
into about $2,000 per call. Decker said.
"We know what the city wants. It's unreasonable, it's unreal ...
$2,000 a run is not reasonable." said Trustee Tom McCann.
The township has been negotiating with the city since spring.
Decker said, adding the contract was one that could be ended by
either party with one year's notice. The township was notified of the
city's intent to end the contract last year. Decker said.
(See "Union"—page 2)
In Brief
Today is the last day books can be charged to
financial aid. It is also the last day books can be
returned to the University Center Bookstore.
Campus
Area    stores    have
developed    stringent
check writing policies
for students.
page 3
A CMU student will
travel with the entertainment    group    Up
With People,
page 6
Sports
Included in today's
issue is the 1982 CM
LIFE Football Guide
for the CMU-ISU contest.
Index
Arts and Leisure 6
Classifieds 9
Comment 4
Doonesbury 4
Off the Wire 2
Sports 7
Spotlife 9
Weather 9