| LANSING – The Reopen Michigan Safely coalition, representing tens of thousands of businesses and countless jobs, said today that job creators can finally move toward fully reopening without unnecessary government rules now that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will withdraw MIOSHA’s proposal to make emergency workplace rules a permanent burden on our economy.
Earlier this week, members of the coalition asked MIOSHA for the permanent rules proposal to be rescinded and emergency rules to be addended or rescinded prior to the scheduled MIOSHA public hearing on May 26th. Additionally, coalition member businesses have submitted thousands of comments in opposition and were set to offer “in-person” testimony during hearing.
The Reopen Michigan Safely coalition was created on March 4th and grew to include 59 Michigan business organizations. The coalition successfully brought Whitmer’s ban on in-person office work and other heavy-handed rules limiting Michigan’s economic rebound to the forefront. These rules damaged businesses, employee mental health, downtowns and local governments, making Michigan far less competitive versus than neighboring states.
Since our effort began, Gov. Whitmer announced that in-person work could resume. However, MIOSHA, which she oversees, had unreasonably continued forward with its proposal to turn what were temporary, emergency COVID-19 workplace rules into permanent, burdensome rules.
Examples of why the inflexible permanent proposal is unworkable erupted immediately as the state’s rules could not keep up with scientifically-based changes in masking and distancing requirements set forth by the CDC.
Additional problems included:
- Michigan is no longer in an emergency situation, so these rules should not continue.
- State government must start supporting and trusting job creators and employees to work together toward safe reopen strategies that best suit their situations, without a permanent new set of government regulations and especially as COVID cases are trending downward.
- The proposal sets up a permanent, overly-detailed government oversight situation negatively impacting the daily operation of struggling businesses, including offices, construction, restaurants, manufacturing, retail, libraries, museums and more.
- MIOSHA is attempting to continue its ban on most in-person office work by requiring that businesses “shall create a policy promoting remote work for employees to the extent that their work activities can feasibly be completed remotely.”
- The proposal does not include an expiration/sunset date.
Comments from the Reopen Michigan Safely coalition:
Wendy Block, Vice President of Business Advocacy and Member Engagement for the Michigan Chamber:
“COVID cases in Michigan are trending down, vaccination rates are up and governors across the country are moving more decisively to safely reopen their states. Finally, the Whitmer administration heard the call of Michigan job creators and withdraw MIOSHA’s proposed permanent rules thereby signaling we are on the road to more fully reopening Michigan’s economy and releasing employers and employees alike from endless rounds of confusing rules and regulations.”
Joe Bauman, President, Birmingham-Bloomfield Chamber:
“The permanent rules as proposed represented misguided policy and did not reflect where the state of Michigan is in combatting the Covid-19 virus,” said Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber President Joe Bauman. “We are pleased the state appears to be moving away from these onerous restrictions and look forward to once again allowing employers and employees the opportunity to determine work rules and other important issues while always keeping employee safety top of mind. We need to fully re-open the state to allow our central business districts and main streets which have borne the brunt of the pain from these past policies to begin rebuilding their businesses so they can be successful going forward.”
Tim Daman, President & CEO, Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce:
“We are pleased with the decision to remove the final restrictions and fully reopen our economy. This action provides much needed certainty for employers as they plan for a return to in-person work and office reopening’s. We look forward to a new chapter in emerging from this pandemic and continuing to support our region and state relaunch, reopen and reengage.”
Dave Worthams, Director of Human Resource Policy, Michigan Manufacturers Association:
“We appreciate that it appears Governor Whitmer and MIOSHA Director Bart Pickelman have decided to change the current MIOSHA Emergency Workplace Standard and the proposed permanent COVID-19 Workplace Standard to reflect the changes in CDC Vaccine guidance and her own MI VACC to Normal plan. We look forward to seeing the final language so we can determine how it will impact Michigan manufacturers and our employees. At the end day, we know COVID-19 vaccines work and the need for a permanent workplace standard becomes less and less as Michiganders continue to do their part. For us to remain competitive with other states, and indeed with the rest of the world, it is vital for state government to empower employers and employees to act in line with the science and the recommendation of the CDC, rather than to craft unnecessary and burdensome rules that hinder us from doing so.”
Charles Owens, NFIB Michigan State Director:
“We are thankful to the Speaker of the House and the Senate Majority Leader for bringing the governor to the table and pursuing the withdrawal of these MIOSHA COVID-19 permanent rules. Small businesses can finally stay focused on getting back to normal and not trying to decipher mixed messages from state agencies on how they must comply.”
Ronald Hinrichs, President & CEO, Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber:
“We are encouraged to learn that the Governor and our legislative leaders have come together to find common ground, and that the Administration will withdraw the proposed permanent MIOSHA regulations which would have been disastrous for our State’s employers, communities, and workforce. Although there is much more to do, including amending various provisions within and ultimately rescinding the current MIOSHA emergency workplace regulations, we agree that this is a step in the right direction. As we unite to save Michigan’s downtowns, municipalities, small businesses, and jobs, we are looking forward to learning more about this new agreement, and seeing further partnership between our leaders that will lead to prosperous days ahead.”
Jimmy Greene, President, ABC of Michigan:
“ABC Michigan appreciates that our elected leaders are working together to get Michigan reopened!”
Wes Graff, President, Plymouth Community Chamber of Commerce:
“In a new post-pandemic world, I’m confident businesses and employees will conquer together any remaining and future challenges posed by COVID-19. Without permanent COVID restrictions looming in front of us, we now have an open road ahead to accelerate the Michigan economy.Kirstie Sieloff, Director of Government Relations for the Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance and Traverse Connect:
“We commend our decision-makers for listening to businesses and setting us on a clear path to economic recovery. The agreement to rescind the proposed permanent MIOSHA rules adds Michigan to the growing list of states open for business.”
Warren Call, President & CEO of Traverse Connect:
“Businesses have the experience and tools to keep employees and patrons safe, and now Michigan can join the rest of the country in continuing our collective economic recovery. The agreement to rescind the proposed permanent MIOSHA rules is a great example of advocacy resulting in action, and we applaud our decision-makers for listening to our employers.”
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