About the ERB
The Employment Relations Board is appointed by the Civil Service Commission to consider and make recommendations concerning appeals of:
The ERB also serves as an impasse panel to resolve collective bargaining disputes and as the coordinated compensation panel for NERE pay proposals. It derives its authority from Rule 1-15, Employment Relations Board.
ERB Member Application Process
Members
ERB Members are appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Commission. Current ERB members are Susan Zurvalec, Chair, Matthew Wesaw, and Steve Jenkins.
Susan H. Zurvalec was the Superintendent of Farmington Public Schools from 2005 until her retirement in 2014. From 1989 to 2005, she was an administrator responsible for Human Resources and Employee Relations for Farmington Public Schools. From 1984 to 1989, she was the Assistant in Employee Relations for the Lansing School District. From 1982 to 1984, she was a Labor Relations Consultant for the Michigan Association of School Boards, assisting school districts in labor negotiations. She was a classroom teacher and reading consultant for the Lansing Schools from 1975-1982. Ms. Zurvalec was a labor arbitrator and past president of both the Michigan Negotiators Association and the Michigan Public Employer Labor Relations Association. In 2001-2002, she served as the national President of the American Association of School Personnel Administrators. She received her BA from the University of Michigan and a MA in Education and Master in Human Resources and Labor Relations from Michigan State University. Ms. Zurvalec was first appointed to the ERB in January 1998. She serves as Chair by designation of the Civil Service Commission.
Matthew J. Wesaw began his career of public service with 26 years as a state trooper. He was also elected vice president of the Michigan State Police Troopers Association while a trooper and later served as the MSPTA's director of government relations. Mr. Wesaw served on the Michigan Civil Rights Commission from 2004 to 2012, including two years as its chair. He was named executive director for the Michigan Department of Civil Rights from 2013 to 2015. Mr. Wesaw also has served as a tribal council member, vice chairman, and chairman of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians. He has also been executive director of the United Tribes of Michigan, president and CEO of the Pokagon Gaming Authority, and area vice-president and recording secretary of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI). Mr. Wesaw has also served as a board member of the Lansing American Indian Center and the Nokomis Learning Center. He attended Great Lakes Christian College and has a degree in Criminal Justice from Lansing Community College. Mr. Wesaw was first appointed to the ERB in May 2017.
Steve Jenkins started his career as a State Employee in 1973 working as an Attendant Nurse in Lapeer, Michigan. From there he became a union representative for both the Michigan State Employees Association (MSEA) and the Michigan State Police Troopers Association (MSPTA). He gained management experience while working as a Labor Relations Representative, Personnel Officer, and Business Manager for several Department of Corrections (MDOC) Agencies including the Macomb Correctional Facility and Thumb Regional Center. Steve served as Deputy Racing Commissioner for Michigan’s Horse Racing Industry, General Manager of the Michigan State Fairgrounds, and Chief Operating Officer for a Neurosurgical practice before developing his consulting business. He also was an Adjunct Professor for Lansing Community College during the 1990’s and was appointed as a Labor Arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association (AAA) in 1995. Steve has a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources from Spring Arbor University.
Meetings
The Board usually meets monthly to consider claims of appeal as of right, applications for leave to appeal, and motions. Meetings are usually held in the hearing rooms adjacent to the Board offices in Lansing, but may also be held by teleconference. Consideration of applications and motions are in closed session with Board members and Board staff only.
Staff
Nicholas Kechkaylo
Board Appeals Officer
Mary Gobbo
Board Executive Secretary
E-mail: MCSC-ERB@mi.gov
Phone: 517-335-5588
Website: www.mi.gov/erb
