the Voice of
The Communist League of Revolutionary Workers–Internationalist
“The emancipation of the working class will only be achieved by the working class itself.”
— Karl Marx
the Voice of
The Communist League of Revolutionary Workers–Internationalist
“The emancipation of the working class will only be achieved by the working class itself.”
— Karl Marx
Jun 6, 2022
At the start of the pandemic, gig workers in Michigan could apply for unemployment benefits. Some saved screen shots and UIA instructional video that proved how poorly worded agency instructions were. Thank goodness!
UIA officials got caught in a lie. They claimed to a judge, in writing, that there was NOT “UIA administrative or clerical error.”
A Detroit Free Press article on 5/22/22 explained that beginning in the spring of 2020 all the way until the fall of 2021, UIA instructions asked for “TOTAL pay” [which was understood as GROSS] instead of NET pay.
Said one attorney for the unemployed, "It’s a new law. It’s shocking that we’re dealing with agency misrepresentation, at this point. They are covering their tracks."
Public Pressure Plus Lawsuits = Resolution
Lawsuits filed by the unemployed brought the truth to light. The new UIA director made an announcement on 5/27/22 that self-employed and gig workers were only overpaid because of confusing instructions regarding NET and GROSS income. She said, "We won’t stop fighting until we’ve corrected past mistakes made by this agency so that not one innocent Michigander will face consequences as a result of asking for help they needed."