Civil Service State Shutdown Would Be Temporary Layoff, As Unions Call For Budget

(Source: MIRS.news, Published 09/24/2025) If the state Legislature and Executive fail to pass a budget or continuation resolution before Oct. 1, the Michigan Civil Service rules state any layoffs of state employees are considered temporary, even as the unions ask for a budget.

Civil Service rule 2-4.4 states employees can be placed on one or more temporary layoff days. Those days are full days, regardless of how long a shutdown could last. The temporary layoff cannot last more than 20 workdays across a fiscal year, which starts Oct. 1. Any permanent layoff requires a 14-day notice.

“We’re continuing ongoing negotiations, and we’re hopeful that we’ll have a deal in place by the deadline. While we have begun contingency planning for different scenarios, the best way to continue these services is by ensuring we get a budget done,” said Budget Office spokesperson Lauren Leeds.

Several unions representing state employees, including the AFT, MSEA, SEIU and UAW held a rally outside of Lansing City Hall, across the street from the Capital grounds.

Jacob Vansickle of the Michigan State Employees Association (MSEA) said a government shutdown would be detrimental to the state.

“I can't impress upon you guys enough, not only the importance for this Legislature to come to an agreement on a budget, but more importantly than that, to come to an agreement on a budget that does not slash essential services,” Vansickle said

Ron Bieber of the Michigan AFL-CIO said workers deserve a budget that puts them first by funding career and technical education and apprenticeship programs, funding MIOSHA, paying for universal free school meals and more.

“Michigan House Republicans have been inspired by Trump and his billionaire buddies who are trying to slash and burn our government. Republicans in Michigan think if they break our budget and cripple critical services, people will lose faith in the government's ability to serve the people, allowing them to make even deeper cuts next time. It's a never-ending cycle, and it's got to stop,” Bieber said.

A shutdown would mean critical services stop, state workers can’t do their jobs, state parks close, construction workers can’t fix the roads, schools can’t pay their bills, and working people deal with the chaos, Bieber said.

“Michigan’s labor movement has a loud and clear message: hell no. No cuts, no shutdown,” Bieber said.

MEA, AFT-Michigan Call For Movement On Ed Budget

The Michigan Education Association (MEA) gathered outside Lansing City Hall Wednesday to call on the Legislature to fund universal free school meals, student mental health support and access to higher education and job training in the budget that is due before Oct. 1.

Terrence Martin, president of the American Federation of Teachers of Michigan, said at a press conference with the MEA that as a former Detroit Public School teacher, he can say firsthand what it’s like to look out at a classroom of 35 students and know that they don’t have the resources they need to be successful.

“We are asking that negotiations continue to happen in a way that secures the future of our schools,” Martin said. “We know that the cuts being proposed in some of these budgets will cripple districts that are underserved already.”

Allyson McCann, a 13-year special education para-educator said while her job is extremely rewarding, it can also be emotionally and mentally exhausting due to lack of funding for students who need it most.

“Our most vulnerable students are often unable to advocate for themselves, and that's why it's crucial for us as educators and as parents to stand up and make our voices heard,” McCann said, echoing the call for funding school meals, mental health resources and special education services.

Eric Rader, vice president of AFT-Michigan, said his work focuses on higher education, where cuts concern him. He said higher education and community colleges should not be competing with K-12 for School Aid funds, which is the model the proposed House education budget takes.

“That’s not fair to K-12. It’s certainly not fair to higher ed, and we should not be competing with each other in that fund. We need to make college affordable in this state,” Rader said.

Stathis Pauls of the Michigan State University Extension’s SNAP Education Program said cuts to their funding will lead to nearly 100 employees losing their jobs. The program has been running for over 30 years and helps low-income families manage food budgets and make healthy choices and increase activities to support healthier lifestyles, Pauls said. It’s historically been funded by the USDA, but now the funding is gone.