CMU Faculty Association celebrates 40th anniversary

The Central Michigan University Faculty Association celebrates its 40th anniversary this year.

“We actually were the first four-year university faculty group to form a union,” said Faculty Association President Tim Brannan. “We are the largest single based union that there is.”

The FA, established in 1969, consists of CMU educators that represent other faculty members by protecting salary, benefits, job security and working conditions.

“At CMU, we used to have a salary schedule, and you could see each year how much money you were going to earn,” said history professor Bill Bulger. “In 1969, it was gone and people were upset about it.”

After a vote, a union was formed to ensure that faculty members remained aware of the details of their careers.

“We deal with everything from benefits when someone is hired all the way through retirement,” Brannan said. “The big part is that we look out for our members’ needs. It’s for the members by the members group.”

At CMU, approximately 95 percent of faculty members belong to the association. Being a member allows someone to vote in elections and serve as an officer or board member.

Joyce Henricks, former chair of the FA, considers the grievance procedures and department procedures very important.

“What we want to provide is protection for the faculty’s day-to-day work,” Henricks said.

The FA and CMU went the full length of the contract last year, having to extend it after negotiations were broken off and a fact-finder was hired. The case never went to arbitration, as the university and the FA reached an agreement that gave faculty a 3 percent increase in wages.

More ‘accepted’

While the CMU FA has continued more than 40 years with the same goals, one major change was noted.

“I think it’s more of an accepted group now,” Bulger said. “There was a lot of opposition at first, but it’s turned out to be a good method of resolving conflicts with the
administration and faculty.”

When thinking about the future of the association, members and former members have advice.

“My dad was a retired math professor and part of the original founding group, and now I’m leading it,” Brannan said. “We have seen a little bit of growth over time, and I hope that the next round of negotiations goes well, especially with the economy.”

Henricks also looks back on the foundation the association was built on.

“I hope that new people coming in don’t give up on some of the protections that people have fought for over the years,” Henricks said. “Just don’t forget the past.”