Lecturer Bargaining Update: Bargaining Recap for 4/24/2024

We met with management yesterday evening for a short bargaining session. LEO presented three articles for tentative agreement: MOU on Teaching Professor, Benefit Plans, and Benefits Eligibility. The MOU on Teaching Professor would allow for a Special Conference to explore the establishment of a working title series. The agreement on Benefits will be a huge victory, making it easier for Intermittents and LIs to access the employer match of 10%. 

The three proposals were presented previously from management as a package and so although it was presented with nearly identical language (accepting one change around the calendar year) it will need to be accepted as a tentative agreement by management. 

Additionally we passed back a package that represented a significant and difficult movement on behalf of our team to demonstrate the commitment of the team to get to agreement. Once again our salary proposal was packaged with dropping the proposals on the Housing Committee, Childcare, and Governance. 

The salary counter included accepting managements’ offer for annual raises on the Ann Arbor campus 8% in Year 1, 6% in Year 2, 6% in Year 3, and 5% in Year 4. For Dearborn and Flint 5% in Year 1 with a 3% lump sum, 5% in Year 2, and 3% in Year 3 and 4. The move to 3% is conditional on a salary reopener in Dearborn and Flint that would allow us to negotiate additional increases to lecturer salaries. The Major Review minimums were decreased and the longevity increases were shifted to just year 16 and year 21. 

Following bargaining we announced that our strike authorization vote passed with more than 80% Yes votes. The Union Council has voted not to call for a strike at this point. However, we have not yet reached a tentative agreement and leadership may call a strike should they deem it necessary. We are continuing to push for a more fair and equitable contract on all three campuses. Keeping up the pressure at this point is crucial. The LEO Contract Action Team will hold informational picketing outside the Michigan Union in Ann Arbor this week at Accepted Student Day, Friday, April 26 in two shifts from 10-noon or noon-2pm. We need a good showing to keep this fight for a fair contract going! Register for a shift with us this Friday at https://bit.ly/LEOAction24.