Viewfinder: Dearborn Firefighters go to Lansing

Hundreds of police and fire union members from across Michigan descended upon the state Capitol Wednesday morning to protest a bill currently in the state House of Representatives that would repeal Public Act 312.

Dearborn firefighters, who had spearheaded a similar rally in their hometown the previous Saturday at , were among those who made the day-long trip to Lansing, where the first discussions were being held on PA 312.

The act holds that if there is a labor dispute between a municipal government and its police or fire departments, the unions may not strike, but must instead go to binding arbitration. Under the law, a third party is brought in to hear all facts on the dispute and make a nonpartisan decision, which unions and governments are legally bound to follow.

PA 312 has been in place since 1969, and fire and police unions are looking to keep it in place.

Union members came from a number of cities, including Dearborn, Birmingham, West Bloomfield, Monroe, Livonia, Detroit, Flint, Hamtramck, Wyoming, Brownstown, Grand Rapids, Waterford, Highland Park, Battle Creek and Washington Twp.

Did you go to Lansing yesterday in support of PA 312? Add your photos to our gallery!