UPDATED: No wage changes until replacement of newly expired faculty contracts
CMU’s faculty contracts have expired.
The Faculty Association, the union representing full-time faculty members, has met in bargaining sessions with university officials twice weekly since April. On Tuesday, a state mediator was brought in to help move bargaining sessions along.
The next meeting of the two groups will be July 14, the same day as an upcoming board of trustees meeting.
In an email addressed to faculty members, Ray Christie, vice provost of Academic Administration and a member of the university's bargaining team, said there were some indicators of progress during those meetings, but no tentative agreement was made.
“Accordingly, the university has chosen to exercise its right not to extend the previous contract,” Christie said. “One promising indication of yesterday’s session is the request of the CMU Faculty Association for additional time to consider several of the ideas put forward by the university.”
Laura Frey, president of the Faculty Association, said the contract expired with “no substantial change” to that position table and progress toward an agreement. The expiration of the contract was expected both by Frey and the FA membership.
“It was anticipated with the communication that had been relayed by the administration, that there was no intent to extend the contract,” she said. “It is unfortunate that the administration moved forward with that decision.”
Frey stepped in as president after the term of Tim Connors, communication and dramatic arts professor, expired with the contract.
Twelve-month employees who would receive a promotion or wage adjustment today will not see those changes until an agreement is ratified.
Christie noted a new state law which prohibits retroactive payment of wage changes in collective bargaining agreements.
“In other words, wage changes — if any — will become effective going forward from the date the new contract is ratified,” he wrote.
Frey called the administration’s position table “disturbing” and “alarming.”
Frey said she could not discuss the contents of what was discussed at Thursday’s mediation session because they are confidential.
The bargaining team traditionally presents FA’s board with any offers “reasonable for FA consideration,” and Frey said the board had not been presented with anything at this time.
“We are well aware of the economic challenges of mid-Michigan and the State of Michigan, but the financial status of CMU is not the same as the financial status of mid-Michigan and our surrounding counties,” Frey said. “The university has the financial resources for a fair wage increase for the faculty and all of its employees and the ability to remain a quality program.”
The next step for FA is the next mediation session. They also will have an advertisement at Celebration Cinema beginning July 9.
“We’re very proud of that.” Frey said.
She said the purpose of the advertisement is to demonstrate that faculty members are part of the local community.
“It’s an outreach to show how much we care about the community and how we are members of the community,” she said.
Christie said the university remains committed to reaching an agreement with the FA.
Faculty association dues will not be withheld during the period of the lapsed contract; in addition, arbitration will not be used to resolve disputes.
