LANSING, Mich. -- The State of Michigan will join UAW President Bob King and UAW Vice President Cindy Estrada at a news conference July 26 for the official handshake signifying the start of 2011 labor negotiations.  

State of Michigan workers represented by UAW Local 6000 are employed in various sectors of state service, including human services and administrative supporting bargaining unit members. 

The noneconomic portions of the contract for 17,000 members of Local 6000 expire on Dec. 31 and the economic portions expire in Sept. 2012. 

The UAW says this round of talks is crucial for the organization's fourth largest agreement after the Detroit automakers' contracts. 

"Our negotiations with the state this year are a top priority, and what occurs in those bargaining sessions is as critically important to our membership as the negotiations with Chrysler, Ford and GM," said King. 

The UAW and Local 6000 have been preparing for bargaining to counter the anti-worker agenda of Michigan's majority Republicans, one that has seen a right wing determined to destroy public sector employee compensation and collective bargaining rights. 

"It's no secret that Governor Snyder wants to dramatically reduce the compensation of our hard-working members, but we know there are more effective ways to save the state money. We're prepared to propose innovative solutions to make state operations work smarter and potentially save the state even more than the governor is seeking, while still protecting good middle-class jobs," said Estrada, who directs the union's Public Sector and Health Care Servicing Department, which will lead negotiations on behalf of Local 6000. 

News conference details: 

Where: UAW Local 6000, 3350 N. Grand River, Lansing, Mich. 

When: Tuesday, July 26, at 10 a.m.

Who: UAW President Bob King and Cindy Estrada, UAW vice president and director of the union's Public Sector and Health Care Servicing Department, and Janine Winters, director, Office of the State Employer.

Other details: Parking is available in the lot directly behind Local 6000. Check in at the registration table when you enter the building. Please be prepared to show ID. An audio mult box will be available.