Lecturer Bargaining Update: Recap from 3/5/2021

Lecturer Testimonies on Workload; Some Movement on Sick Pay, Benefits, Job Security

The morning started with four moving member testimonies on Workload and our team’s counter-proposal. Danielle Harbin (Lec II of Flint Biology), Isaac Wingfield (Lec IV of the RC in Ann Arbor), Ryan Hendrickson (Lec IV in RLL Ann Arbor), and Laura Alford (Lec IV in College of Engineering Ann Arbor) shared their personal experiences and reiterated the need for workload transparency. Basically, our counter changed the deadline for publishing standards to August in the first year and July in subsequent years. And the Workload subcommittee included that the Union will meet in a Special Conference to develop standards in units where they don’t already exist. Importantly, we added back in the phrase: “In no case shall Employee workload increase as a result of the actions in this section.” 

We delivered two more counters, one on DEI (MOU 10) and one on the “Bridge to Lecturer III/IV” (MOU 7). There were minimal changes on DEI as we were waiting to see management's proposed changes to MOU 12, which covers diversity in hiring practices. For MOU 7, we re-added the line “has performed duties requiring a range of instructional expertise” as it is consistent with the definition of Lec III/IV. 

Lunch with LEO featured a presentation and discussion led by the Students of Color Liberation Front on their 14 point list of Anti-Racist Demands. Individuals can read more about it or sign on individually here. 

Management passed back counters on Sick Pay, Benefits, and Job Security. Overall we had some movement in a positive direction but still have a ways to go. Notably, we won an extension of long-term sick pay to put us in line with tenure-track faculty, as well as a guarantee of an interview for lecturers on layoff who apply for an open position within the bargaining unit on all 3 campuses. The Bargaining Team pushed back to include open staff positions, as well.

Although we made some gains this week, it is going to be essential to increase member engagement and elevate the pressure on management to make progress on the Child Care subsidy or our Salary proposals around Parity, Longevity, support to Flint and Dearborn, and Annual Raises. 

There were 105 Lecturers in attendance this past Friday which is down from 185 the week before. If you haven’t been to bargaining yet, now is the time! Please read: “What To Expect From Union Bargaining” & watch “Why Go To Bargaining?” Find the links to Bargaining as well as what to wear here: https://www.leo2021.org/bargaining-day. 

SIGN THIS PETITION and ask 3 of your colleagues to sign too, (don’t assume that they have): https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/um-lecturers-demand-dignity-parity-and-respect 
By signing you are advocating for yourself, your coworkers, and your students. Your signature will show the UM Administration that our bargaining proposals have broad support, and should be affirmed as part of our next contract.

Watch GEO’s next Campus Talk on Monday, March 15th, at 1 pm on Facebook Live. There will be a speaker from LEO’s COVID Caucus on the panel along with other campus workers. Our COVID Caucus discusses the real-time impact of COVID on Lecturers and the broader campus community. Email Alex Elkins at alex@leounion.org for more information.

Join the All Campus Labor Council’s People’s Regents Meeting, March 18th, 7-8:30 pm: We’ll consider the University’s resources and a new budget in the interest of all campus workers, students, patients, and the communities we live/work in. The pandemic has brought hardship to many; extreme workload, loss of work, unsafe working, and living conditions. What should the U be funding? Where would the money come from? RSVP: bit.ly/PeoplesMeeting2

It’s time to pack the Zoom! On March 19th, allies are invited to join LEO/U-M contract negotiations. This is the first chance to show the administration how much the U-M community supports LEO’s contract demands. Invite your colleagues, students, family members, & community associations to register: bit.ly/LEOOpenBargaining. Slide Show to share with your allies!

Drawing of LEO Bargaining Team member Erik Marshall (Lecturer LCC Dearborn Campus) and his cat, “Baby Kitty” art by AndyT.