Free Republic

A group launched a 2020 ballot initiative Tuesday to expand Michigan’s civil rights law to include anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people, a step that would put the issue to voters if the Republican-led Legislature does not pass the measure. Fair and Equal Michigan, a committee backed by business, political and philanthropic leaders, submitted petition language to the Board of State Canvassers. Once it is approved, the group will have until late May to collect the roughly 340,000 valid voter signatures needed to place the initiated bill before lawmakers. If legislators do not adopt the legislation — similar bills have long...

Steelcase numbers best in five years Thursday, March 29, 2007 By Rob Kirkbride The Grand Rapids Press GRAND RAPIDS -- For the first time in five years, Steelcase Inc. today posted yearly sales topping $3 billion while profits surged 110 percent over the previous year. It was another sign of a robust office furniture industry after Herman Miller Inc. reported surging quarterly profits last week. In this morning's announcement, Steelcase said this was the fourth-best year in its history for sales. The company's best year was 2001, when it had sales of more than $4 billion. The Grand Rapids office...

Herman Miller cuts 255 more workers Monday, March 10, 2003By Rob KirkbrideThe Grand Rapids Press ZEELAND -- The worst for Herman Miller Inc. was supposed to be over, but the office-furniture depression that shows little sign of easing is expected to cost at least 255 workers their jobs at the Zeeland-based furniture company. The Press learned today that Herman Miller is preparing to announce that 140 to 150 white-collar jobs are being eliminated and 115 production workers laid off in response to the sluggish economy and threat of war that has kept furniture buyers on the sideline. A Herman Miller...