Ferris State University Faculty Association members join CMU students in contract protests

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Members of the Ferris State University’s Faculty Association arrived at Central Michigan University Thursday showing support for the CMU FA.

All afternoon the FFA picketed with signs outside Warriner Hall. FFA member Bonnie Wright was one of about ten members who drove nearly one hour from Big Rapids to protest the CMU administration.

Ferris is not back in school yet, she said, otherwise more faculty would have come. They plan on continuing to support the CMU FA regardless of the decision made in court on Friday.

“If the administration is favored in court, then the support of the faculty will grow,” Wright said. “If this goes on, you’ll see an increase in support from Ferris because we think we’re next.”

Wright said the FFA is feeling similar tensions with the administration at FSU.

Other members of the FFA shared Wright’s opinion.

“We almost went on strike last year and we decided not to,” said Jim Caserta, vice president of the FFA. “As with CMU, we have lots of issues in terms of academic facility rights and pay that have have not been adequately settled.”

FA President Laura Frey brought pizza for the students and FFA, but did not join their picketing due to a temporary restraining order not allowing members of the CMU FA the ability to picket.

“We’re speaking for them when they can’t speak for themselves,” said former FFA President Mike Ryan.

A CMU student protest merged to join the FFA. Quincy senior Andreah Grove has been attending the student protests on campus and said it was exciting to see other faculty unions coming to CMU in support.

“I think it’s great — the support from other FA universities,” Grove said. “I think (CMU and Ferris) FA will stick together.”

She said she heard Michigan State graduate students might arrive to protest as well, although Peter Klein, a part time staff organizer for Michigan State University’s Union of Nontenure Track Faculty, said he did not know of anyone from their group planning on attending.