LANSING, Mich. -- State employee unions filed papers today asking the Michigan Supreme Court to review a Court of Appeals opinion that state employees are governed by the right-to-work law, which was passed by the legislature last December.

The Court of Appeals ruled on Aug. 15 that right-to-work includes state employees, but the Michigan Constitution states the Civil Service Commission has authority over state workers.

“The Civil Service Commission in Michigan provides much needed protections for state workers by ensuring they are not unfairly impacted by the political whims of the legislature and the governor. We believe that the bi-partisan Commission -- not conservative ideologues in the House or Senate -- has sole authority under our state constitution to decide whether state employees are exempt from the so-called right to-work law,” said Mel Grieshaber, executive director of the Michigan Corrections Organization. “We hope the Supreme Court will act swiftly to take up the case and bring resolution that is consistent with the Michigan Constitution.”