11-12-20 (Special)

The special meeting of the Davison Township Board of Trustees, held on November 12, 2020, addressed two critical pieces of business: the formal acknowledgment of a unionization effort and emergency operational changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Regarding labor relations, the Board reviewed the intent of township employees to be represented by the Governmental Employees Labor Council. The proposed bargaining units include all salaried employees (excluding elected officials) and all non-salaried employees (excluding part-time, seasonal, and temporary staff). The Board authorized the Supervisor to sign the necessary acknowledgment letters to proceed with the bargaining process.

Additionally, the Board addressed significant health concerns within the township workforce. Following reports of multiple COVID-19 cases and pending tests among both Township and Police Department employees, the Board voted to close all in-person transactions at the Township and Police Department offices immediately.

• Tim Elkins: Supervisor
• Cindy Shields: Clerk
• Pat Miller: Treasurer
• Matthew Karr: Board Member
• Travis Howell: Trustee (attended via telephone)
• Governmental Employees Labor Council: The union seeking representation for township employees
• Police Chief and Deputy Chief: Mentioned regarding their transition to working from home

• Employee Voluntary Recognition Agreement: The Board acknowledged the intent of employees to unionize into two specific units: salaried employees (excluding elected officials) and non-salaried employees (excluding part-time, seasonal, and temporary staff).
• Office Closure: The Board decided to cease all in-person transactions at the Township and Police Department offices to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 among staff.

• Meeting Date: November 12, 2020
• Office Closure: Effective immediately until further notice

• Davison Township Municipal Center: 1280 N. Irish Road, Davison, MI 48423

• Unionization: Employees expressed their intent to be represented by the Governmental Employees Labor Council.
• Office Closure: Multiple staff members in the Township and Police Department were either confirmed COVID-19 positive, recovering from the virus, or undergoing testing.

• Authorization of Union Acknowledgment Letters:
  • Motion by: Shields
  • Seconded by: Miller
  • Result: Motion carried
  • Roll Call: Yes—Shields, Elkins, Karr, Howell, Miller
• Closure of Township and Police Department Offices:
  • Motion by: Shields
  • Seconded by: Howell
  • Result: Motion carried (All aye)

• Union Acknowledgment: The Supervisor is authorized to sign the Union Acknowledgment letters.
• Contract Bargaining: Following the signing of the letters, employees will proceed to bargain for their contract.
• Remote Work: The Police Chief and Deputy Chief will alternate working from home.