Evolution of the Owosso Education Association

The Owosso Education Association has deep roots going back more than one hundred years.  It’s a history filled with challenge and resilience, tradition and innovation.  And, it is an evolving history, responding to the changes of time and politics as it changed from a social club to a professional organization and finally into a labor union.  Even a quick review of the OEA’s history bears truth to the adage, “the more things change, the more they stay the same.”  In the 21st century, we fight for a living wage, decent working conditions, collective bargaining rights, and against merit pay and unfair and inequitable evaluation systems.  But these are not new concepts.  References to the ills of merit pay and Parochiad (using public dollars in parochial schools), the struggle to attain, and eventually lose at the hands of the state legislature, agency shop, to make a living wage, and to maintain tenure rights, intertwine our past and weaving in and out of our story. 

Owosso Teachers’ Club

The history begins in December of 1913 with the formation of the Owosso Teacher’s Club.  This association of teachers in the several buildings of Owosso Public Schools was a social and benevolent organization.  The program committee regularly brought in speakers and public lecture series, sponsored plays for the community, and carried out different fundraising and public projects.  What has evolved into the OEA Scholarship program was one such activity, originating in during the 1929-30 school year.

With the passage of a Michigan state tenure law and teacher minimum wage legislation under Democratic Governor Frank Murphy in 1937, club members became aware of the economic advantages which could be achieved through collectively working together in improve their professional standing and conditions.

In 1935, the minutes first refer to the Owosso District of the Michigan Education Association in it governance documents, though it was more commonly still referred to as the Owosso Teachers’ Club.

Collective Bargaining and the ODMEA

Things changed for the Owosso Teacher’s Club in the late 1940’s, after the passage of the Public Employment Relations Act, PA 336 of 1947 (MCL 423.201-08), generally referred to as the Hutchinson Act.  The Act was named for J. Edward Hutchinson, who in his second term in Michigan’s House of Representatives, championed the bill.    The Hutchinson Act established rules that governed public employment.  It required mediation by the Labor Mediation Board (the equivalent of today’s MERC) of grievances submitted by a majority of the employees of a public employer.  It also prohibited public employees from striking and established strict and mandatory penalties for strikers. According to the act, a strike was defined as “the failure to report for duty, the willful absence from one’s position, the stoppage of work, or the abstinence in whole or in part from the full, faithful and proper performance of the duties of employment, for the purpose of inducing, influencing or coercing a change in the conditions, or compensation or rights, privileges or obligations of employment.”  Under the Act, any public employee who was considered to be striking was terminated and lost all claim to a pension or retirement benefits.  

About this time, the OTC became the Owosso District of the Michigan Education Association.  The first reference by the name first appear in the minutes of the 16 September 1948 general membership meeting.

In response to the passage of the Hutchinson Act, the ODMEA formed Professional Problems Committee that worked with district administration to work through employment issues.  As early as 11 February 1948, the committee initiation a salary study.  By the mid-1950’s a Salary Committee had been developed.  In 1956 and 1957, a very active salary committee not only compared salaries in Owosso to other cities of comparable size (which found Owosso salaries were well below other cities), but also did a very thorough analysis of the taxes levied, state aid, number of students and projected enrollment in the comparable districts.  The details of this report got state-wide recognition, being printed in The Detroit Free Press.

Hutchinson went on to several terms in the Michigan Senate, was a key figure in the 1962 Michigan Constitutional Convention, served seven terms as a US Congressman, and was one of President Richard Nixon’s staunchest supporters during Watergate and the subsequent impeachment hearings.

In 1951, the Hutchinson Act was challenged and the Republican-dominated Michigan Supreme Court upheld the law and it’s prohibition of public sector strikes and immediate termination of strikers.

In 1965, the Michigan Legislature was controlled by the Democrats for the first time since 1938. The legislature greatly modified the Hutchinson Act with the Public Employment Relations Act (PERA, PA 379).  Republican Governor George Romney signed the act into law 23 July 1965.

Shortly after the passage of PERA, in October 1965, President Dale Trimble had prepared an authorization ballot for all teachers to designate ODMEA as the sole bargaining agent.  Within weeks, the membership approved the proposal and at the 8 November 1965 Owosso School Board meeting, the District formally recognized the ODMEA as the exclusive representative for professional negotiations with teachers.  Owosso was one of the first five districts in the state to accomplish this.

After the first bargain under PERA, the general membership approved a salary schedule (2 August 1966), followed by the rest of the contract provisions in September.  This initial collective bargaining agreement was the result of over 400 hours of negotiations by the OEA Professional Negotiations team of Dale Trimble (chair), Ellen Gibson, Gerald Gilbert, and Mary LaPonsey and the intervention of Ed Collins as a mediator.  Other new provisions include district-paid insurance and duty-free lunches.

While PERA still prohibited strikes by public employees, it now allowed local government and school districts employees the right to collective bargaining and to join labor unions.  Automatic firing of striking public employees was repealed, and the term strike was redefined to mean work stoppages solely meant to influence a change in the conditions of employment.  

Michigan was one of the first states to pass a collective bargaining statute for teachers. (Wisconsin passed a collective bargaining law in 1959 though collective bargaining by teachers was not pursued at the time, and Connecticut and Massachusetts passed statutes the same year as Michigan).  The result of PERA in Michigan was a rapid escalation of teacher strikes, as well as considerable improvements in teacher salary, benefits and working conditions.  In 1966, the first year of the collective bargaining law, there were nine teacher strikes in Michigan.  The next year, there were thirty-six.  By 1969, there were more than sixty strikes.  (By comparison, there were fewer than 110 strikes in the previous twenty years in the entire nation.)

PERA placed school employees on equal footing with superintendents and school boards in determining salary, hours, working conditions.   It also did away with different pay for men and women and additional pay for the “head of household.”

In 1968 and 1975, rulings by the Democratic-controlled Michigan Supreme Court affirmed that the lower courts could not grant injunctions in every instance of a strike by public employees and that work stoppages in response to an employer’s unfair labor practices were protected.

By the late 1970’s, teacher strikes had become common place in Michigan, becoming a rite of autumn and often delaying the start of school.  Owosso engaged in work stoppages in 1973 and 1979.  

In 1994, Republican Governor John Engler and the Republican-controlled Senate and House pushed through PA 112, significantly altering PERA.  While the definition of a strike for public employees who were not public-school employees remained unchanged, strikes were redefined for public school employees to include an action “taken for the purpose of protesting or responding to an act alleged or determined to be an unfair labor practice” committed by the public employer. This essentially reversed 1975 rulings of the Michigan Supreme Court that protected the strikes in response to an employer’s unfair labor practice.

PA 112 amendments to PERA also imposed mandatory fines on striking public employees, and on the bargaining representatives (i.e., the state union), even if the representative had not been involved.  It also created several prohibited subjects of collective bargaining that were previously considered mandatory subjects of collective bargaining.  As a result of the 1995 revisions and unsuccessful court challenges, teacher strikes have become very rare in Michigan.  

Affiliation with the Michigan Education Association

The Michigan State Teachers Association was founded 12 October 1852 at Michigan State Normal School (now Eastern Michigan University).  At the time, there were more than 200 teachers involved in the infant organization.  This was five years before the organization of the National Education Association.  

In 1926, the MSTA officially became known at the Michigan Education Association.

Owosso’s affiliation with MEA pre-dates the 1926 name change.  As early as 1921 and probably earlier, Owosso teachers were attending the annual conventions of the Michigan State Teachers Association, often accompanied by the district superintendent.  Up until shortly after the passage of PERA in 1965, it was common for school administrators to be members of the Michigan Education Association.  To serve the teaching ranks, the Department of Classroom Teachers of MEA represented the interest of classroom instructors, and ODMEA members were actively involved at this level.

Affiliation with the National Education Association

The OEA, as the Owosso Teachers’ Club at the time, has been affiliated with the National Education Association continuously since 1921.  Early on, teacher chose to join the Michigan Education Association and the National Education Association separately.  After the passage of the Hutchinson Act, the association began to function less as a social organization and more as a labor organization.  Members of the club were encouraged to join, and non-NEA members were routinely reminded of the many benefits of MEA membership. At the 14 November 1956 General Membership meeting, the concept of Unified Membership was first mentioned.  This is the idea that a member of the local was also expected or required to be a member of the state and local associations.  Five days later at the ODMEA Executive Board meeting, the leadership went on the record supporting Unified Membership.  

At the 5 September 1967 General Membership Meeting, the membership voted to require members to be affiliated at all three levels of the association.  

Agency Shop

Agency Shop, the requirement that all person covered by the collective bargaining agreement must either be a member or pay a fee to cover the cost of collective bargaining and other benefits of the contract, was first proposed by Dale Trimble, OEA President at the 10 April 1967 Executive Board meeting.  It was discussed from time to time during the next decade in negotiations but was never successfully negotiated.  It became a major issue during the 1979 bargain and strike, causing a deep divide inside and outside of the school community, as evidenced by the many editorials and advertisements placed in The Argus-Press.  It was not until the 1984-87 contract that Agency Shop was eventually added to the Master Agreement.

Agency Shop was removed from the contract after the PA 349 in December 2012 in the 2013-14 contract.

Insurance Benefits

Prior to PERA, teachers could choose to purchase insurance through payroll deduction, but the district did not contribute anything toward the premiums.  Members could choose a Blue Cross product, as well as insurance available through insurance agent Herman Henkel of Lansing who provided health insurance for members of the Michigan Education Association.  

MEA’s Representative Assembly first authorized the development of a voluntary salary and hospital indemnity program in 1937.  Within two years, the Hoosier Casualty Company provided coverage marketed to MEA members by Lansing insurance agent Herman Henkel.  MEA became a national pioneer in marketing insurance coverage to its members.  Before this, school employees did not have access to affordable insurance.  

When Henkel retired from the insurance business in 1960, MEA was afraid that teachers would lose access to affordable insurance.  In response, in 1962 MEA chartered a separate non-profit corporation, the Michigan Education Special Services Association or MESSA, to act as a voluntary employees’ benefit association (VEBA).

Until 1990 or 1992, the OEA contract allowed members to apply their district-provided premium to the MESSA or a Blue Cross product.  Since then, MESSA has been the sole provider of health insurance for Owosso educators.

Starting in 1954, teachers no longer had to purchase liability insurance when it became an automatic benefit of MEA membership.  Today, the Educators Employment Liability (EEL) insurance is a benefit of NEA membership.

Consolidation

During the late 1950s and early 1960s, Owosso Public Schools saw an increase in enrollment as several small rural school districts consolidated with the school system.  These smaller, often “one-room” schoolhouses, served students from Kindergarten through eighth grade.  Once students reached the high school grades, they would choose to attend one of the larger city high schools.  

With an election of the voters of the rural district, and with the approval of the Owosso Public Schools voters if the rural district had a debt millage, a rural school could be consolidated or annexed to Owosso.  Usually, the school would remain open, at least for a few years, while others were closed the next school year.

Part of the reason that the small schools were consolidating was in response to a threat by Owosso Public Schools to turn away the smaller districts’ students, who would pay tuition, from attending the newly build Owosso High School.  By annexing to the larger district, it increased the tax base to pay the twenty-five year bond proposal.  The result was additional funds allowing the district to build both the North Street Administration building (thus vacating Curwood Castle as the district’s administrative offices) and Bentley Elementary (to relieve crowding at the elementary buildings).

The first mention of the ODMEA reaching out to the teachers in the newly annexed buildings was at a 9 October 1961 Executive Board meeting.

Consolidated Schools

School, Location, Annexed and closed, Other details

Carson or Branch School (District No. 5, Owosso Township)

Southwest corner of Wilkinson and Chipman Roads

June 4, 1957 (and closed)

added to a home on Chipman Street

Flint School (Fractional District No. 1, Caledonia Township

East side of Vandekarr Road between Richardson and Hibbard Roads 

17 May 1958 (and closed)

Two thirds of the district was transferred to Owosso Public Schools, with the rest to Corunna. School sat in present 

Union School

(District No. 1, Owosso Township)

South Ruess Road about 3/4 mile south of M -21

May 9, 1960, closed 30 August 1976

razed in 1956, rebuilt 1957, sold to a business.

McCall School (Fractional District No. 2, Owosso Township also known as Byerly School)

2300 South M-52

May 26, 1960, and closed after 1973

Original school replaced in 1945 by a 2-room brick schoolhouse. Sold to the Shiawassee Intermediate School District in 1973.  It now serves as Student Learning Center West.

Goss School (District No. 1, Rush Township)

Juddville Road east of M-52

June 12, 1960, closed after September 1974

Originally built in 1850 on the west side of M-52 at point where Juddville Road intersects, and the cemetery remains. 

Green Meadows School (Fractional District No. 4, Owosso Township, also known as North Branch)

On the corner of M-52 and Wilkinson Road

June 12, 1960, closed 30 August closed in the 1980s

Sold to Shiawassee County Historical Society, 2001 

West Branch School (District No. 4, Owosso Township)

300 N. Delaney

June 26, 1961, closed 30 August 1976

Leased then sold to Gilead Baptist Academy

Henderson School (District No. 3, Rush Township)

west side of N. Chipman Road

July 31, 1961 (and closed)

First built in 1858, replaced by brick structure ca. 1900

Bennington (District No. 1, Bennington Township)

Southwest Corner of M-52 and Bennington Road

July 31, 1961 (and closed)

Sold to become part of Spring Vale Academy.

Dewey School

(Fractional District No. 1, Owosso Township)

4006 West Hibbard, northwest corner of Hibbard and Ruess Roads

July 31, 1961 (and closed)

Built 1869, still standing as of 1992.

Washburn School (District No. 2, Rush Township)

Corner of North Chipman and Epton Roads

July 31, 1961 (and closed)

Made into a home

Carmody School (District No. 7, Rush Township)

northeast corner of Juddville and Smith Roads

July 31, 1961 (and closed)

Rush Center School (District No. 4, Rush Township)

Southwest corner of Smith and Mile Creek Roads

July 31, 1961 (and closed)

Built in 1869; frame structure burned in the 1880's and in 1900 a brick building was built; building now a residence.

Creek School (Fractional District No. 2, New Haven Township or West Haven School)

northeast corner of Seymour & Henderson Roads

July 31, 1961 (and closed)

Schmid School (District No. 2, Owosso Township)

Southeast corner of Wilkinson and Smith Road

July 31, 1961 (and closed)

Turned into a home

Center School (District No. 4, New Haven Township) 

Northwest corner of Henderson and State Roads

December 18, 1961 (and closed)

German School (District No. 8, New Haven Township)

Northeast corner of Riley and Hintz Road

April 23, 1962 (and closed)

Vote to annex defeated 31 July 1961

Mason School (District No. 3, Owosso Township)

Northwest corner of Mason and Wade Roads

April 23, 1962 (and closed)

Vote to annex defeated 31 July 1961.  Sold to become a home

German School (District No. 5, Bennington Township)

Southeast corner of Garrison & Friegel Roads, Bennington Township

May 29, 1962 (and closed)

Scott School (Fractional District No. 6, Rush Township)

Northeast corner of Baldwin & Juddville Roads

September 11, 1962 (and closed)

Part of district transferred to Elsie Schools

Underwood School (District No. 1, New Haven Township)

Southwest Corner of Henderson and Kerby Roads

September 11, 1962 (and closed)

Part of district transferred to Corunna Schools

Hintz (or Fromm) School (District No. 2, Caledonia Township)

Southwest corner of Hintz and Wildermuth Roads

June 1963 (and closed)

Vote to annex on 31 July 1961 resulted in a tie.  Sold 9 September 1963 and made into a home

Political Activism

Members of the ODMEA/OEA have a long history of political activism.  Member Adrian deBoom (1898-1985) served five terms as a Republican in the Michigan House of Representatives from 1949-1958.  He also ran for the state Senate.  Doris Flint, who served as the ODMEA President for three years in the 1950s, was a candidate for Michigan Senate in the 15th District in 1940 and 1942 and as a delegate to Democratic National Convention from Michigan in 1948 and 1952.  Member Tom Oakley ran for the State House in 1968.

In 1956, ODMEA was involved in a petition drive for state constitutional amendment proposal for the November 1956 ballot to have the State Superintendent of Public Instruction be appointed to State Board of Education and enlarge the board to eight members elected on non-partisan ballot.

As a result of the 1956 Salary Study which showed Owosso had a much lower millage than comparable schools, the ODMEA passed a resolution at its 15 February 1956 meeting demanding increased support for education, stating that “education, school buildings, and teachers’ salaries are suffering,” calling on the State Legislature to require districts to levy eight mills in order to get full state aid funding and to limit amount of money that can be used for capital outlay, transfers to building and sites, and debt retirement funds from state aid funds.

These efforts pre-date MEA’s first foray into political activism when it promoted the Parochiad ballot initiative in 1970.  This successful constitutional amendment prohibited the use of public finds to support nonpublic schools and students.  OEA was active in collecting signatures for petitions in this initiative.  OEA political involvement in petition drives and ballot initiatives continued into the 21st century with the unsuccessful Proposal 5 in 2016 (to guarantee schools and universities a 5% or inflation-measured funding increase every year) and Proposal 2 in 2012 (the ”Protect Working Families campaign to guarantee collective bargaining rights for Michigan public employees), also unsuccessfully.

At the 6 April 1971 OEA general membership meeting, the membership voted to send $250 to striking teachers in Reese.  That spring, the 44 teachers of the Reese schools went on strike.  After refusing to go back the work, the Reese Board of Education fired all 44.  The “Reese 44” were the first teachers in Michigan to be fired for demanding a fair contract by striking. "Remember the Reese 44" became a rallying cry within the school labor community.

A History Unfolds

What follows in the many pages that follows are newspaper articles, mostly from The [Owosso] Argus-Press, that chronicle the progress and growth, the challenges and trials, and the successes and achievements of our union.

Sources

“Argus Press records: 1862-2016.” Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan.s

Ballenger, William. “Detroit Schools Bailout Also Revives Hutchinson Act.” The Ballenger Report, 10 June 2016, www.theballengerreport.com/detroit-schools-bailout-also-revives-hutchinson-act/.

Cameron, Don. (2005). The Michigan Education Association, The Inside Story of the Teacher Revolution in America (pp. 52-62). Lanham, Maryland: ScarecrowEducation.

Department of State, State of Michigan.  Initiatives and Referendums Under the Constitution of the State of Michigan on 1963. 5 December 2008.

Kestenbaum, Lawrence. “Index to Politicians: Debolt to Deckelmann.” The Political Graveyard, politicalgraveyard.com/bio/debolt-deckard.html.

Kestenbaum, Lawrence. “Index to Politicians: Fletman to Flye.” The Political Graveyard, politicalgraveyard.com/bio/fleury-flye.html.

MESSA, MESSA.org |. “About MESSA.” MESSA- Good Health. Good Business. Great Schools., 2018, www.messa.org/About-Us/About-Messa.

“The Michigan Education Association.” The inside Story of the Teacher Revolution in America, by Don Cameron, ScarecrowEducation, 2005, pp. 57–62.

“NEA Affiliated Local Associations.” NEA Handbook and Manual for Local, State and National Associations, 1948-49, National Education Association, 1948, pp. 129–129.

Owosso Education Association. Minutes of the Organization, 1913-2019.  

“The Owosso Education Association Collection.” Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University.

“Teachers Have Bargaining Agent.” The Owosso Argus-Press, 9 Nov. 1965. Google news Web. 20 July 2018.

Townsend, Octavia. “Chronology of the Michigan Education and of the Michigan Education Association, 1817-1966.” Michigan Education Association. 1967.