September 7, 2006

School strike law faces test

By not ordering Detroit school teachers back to work at a Tuesday hearing, Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Susan Borman has come under fire by several local and state leaders who contend she ignored a state law outlawing strikes by public employees. On Tuesday, Borman questioned the constitutionality of the law and delayed a decision. Professor Robert Sedler, an expert on constitutional law here, said the judge's concern is legitimate and that "there are some serious questions about constitutionality." Meanwhile, Senate Republicans said yesterday they are working to close any loopholes in the 1994 law against strikes. Ari Adler, spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Ken Sikkema said he is not sure the Legislature can be any clearer regarding a judge's responsibility regarding rulings on public strikes. He said Borman may just be a "renegade judge."

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