Tuttle v. Bloomfield Hills School District

In this case, we are presented with the first impression issue of whether a union employee must first use and exhaust the grievance remedies provided for under the collective bargaining agreement when contesting disciplinary actions taken by his employer in alleged retaliation for "whistleblowing activities.” We hold that under the Michigan Whistleblowers’ Protection Act, 1980 PA 469; MCL 15.361 et seq.; MSA 17.428(1) et seq., plaintiff herein had the right to proceed directly with the civil action against his employer.

According to the allegations set forth in the complaint, plaintiff had…