22 MiMfg Magazine January / February 2022
Michigan Businesses Need Workers
Additional justice system reforms could help fill the gap .
By CEO Action for Racial Equity
Manufacturers in Michigan are at a critical juncture . Economic recovery and expansion will require employers to grow their workforce , but they are struggling to fill open positions . Nationally , many in the business community are responding to labor shortages by training and hiring an untapped talent pool — the 78 million Americans whose involvement with the justice system has made it difficult to secure steady employment .
In Michigan , many business organizations ( including the MMA ) supported the passage of the 2020 Clean Slate legislation which increased the number of available workers . While this was an important first step , it did not address a root cause of the massive number of Americans with records — justice system policies that effectively criminalize poverty and limit the economic opportunities for countless individuals and families . Additional legislation will help Michigan ’ s economic resurgence while increasing equity in our society .
Workforce Challenge
Michigan ’ s current policies around court fines , fees and cash bail contribute to the mass criminalization that prevents businesses from building and maintaining an inclusive and sustainable workforce . These policies create additional consequences and even jail time due to a lack of wealth . For example , in a 2020 Michigan report by the National Center for Youth Law , one young person was unable to complete her terms of probation because of outstanding court fees that increase each month she remains on probation . She had to obtain a part-time job to pay the fees which made it difficult to remain in school . Choices like these negatively impact future employees as many youths sacrifice education for minimum wage jobs in order to pay non-crime related costs .
In another story shared on ACLU Michigan ’ s website , a young mother was supposed to start a new job as a certified nursing assistant on the day she was arrested . Unable to pay the $ 700 bail assessed , she spent a week away from her child while sitting in the Wayne County Jail , was unable to afford the exorbitant phone rates to contact her employer and her new employer had to deal with the consequences of a no call , no show . 1
Many more people are at risk of suffering these additional consequences than one would think . The United Way ’ s ALICE in Michigan 2021 2 reports that 38 percent of Michigan households earn less than the basic cost of living . Two-thirds of these are employed holding jobs such as laborers , office clerks , cleaning and maintenance staff and others that support everyday business operations . These employees will likely struggle to pay a fine , fee or bail of any amount , and in turn , businesses experience increased absenteeism and turnover in their workforce .
The Legislative Landscape
Two bill packages could mitigate these issues . Both were introduced in the Michigan House in 2021 and await a hearing in the Judiciary Committee . The Juvenile Justice Fines & Fees bill package ( House Bills 4987-4991 ) eliminates many juvenile fines and fees . The Pretrial Fairness bill package ( House Bills 5436-5443 ) addresses recommendations from Michigan ’ s bipartisan Joint Task Force on Jail and Pretrial Incarceration that include upholding speedy court timelines and prioritizing non-monetary release conditions for people charged with nonserious offenses .
Michigan ’ s economy is counting on its workforce . Reforms like those before the Michigan House make sense because these policies can help bring more people into the workforce , keeping Michigan at the forefront of America ’ s future .
For more information , contact Jennifer Wyatt at jennifer . a . wyatt @ ceoactionracialequity . com . 6
CEO Action for Racial Equity is a Fellowship of over 100 companies from all across America , ranging from manufacturers to accountants , retailers and other suppliers , that mobilizes business leaders with diverse expertise to advance public policy .
1 . Copyright 2021 ACLU of Michigan . Originally posted by the ACLU of Michigan at https :// www . aclumich . org / en / stories-broken-bail-system
2 . Used with permission of United Way of Northern New Jersey