Our first LEO-GLAM bargaining session recap!
We had a strong turnout for our bargaining kick-off event last Friday, which provided just the energy we needed for our first day at the table. As a reminder, you can stay informed about the status of bargaining by checking out our proposal tracker, joining our members-only Slack, and reading updates right here on the blog. We will also send weekly updates to our members via email.
We will return to the table on December 10 and December 17, and again in the new year. Watch your email for a link to register to attend as an observer.
Our first session at the table was mostly devoted to getting to know one another. The roster for each team includes:
LEO-GLAM Bargaining Team [elected by you!]
Kathleen Folger - Librarian, Ann Arbor [lead negotiator]
David Choberka - Curator, Ann Arbor
Scott Dennis - Librarian, Ann Arbor
Meredith Kahn - Librarian, Ann Arbor
Colleen Marquis - Archivist, Flint
Aprille McKay - Archivist, Ann Arbor
Edras Rodriguez-Torres - Librarian, Ann Arbor
Raya Samet - Librarian, Dearborn
Rebecca Welzenbach - Librarian, Ann Arbor
Our team was supported by LEO staff:
Jon Curtiss - AFT-MI Representative
Ashlee Hoffman - LEO Organizer
Matt Oches - LEO Organizer
University Administration:
Sascha Matish - Associate Vice Provost for Academic and Faculty Affairs, Senior Director, Academic HR, Ann Arbor [lead negotiator]
Kincaid Brown - Director, Law Library, Ann Arbor
Steve Brummer - Academic Labor Relations Representative, Academic HR, Ann Arbor [participating for training purposes]
Lori Burger - Academic Human Resources Lead, Institute for Social Research, Ann Arbor
Lisa Copeland - Assistant Director for Academic Human Resources, Dearborn
Donna Hayward - Associate Dean, University Library, Ann Arbor
Sonja Mines - Senior Administrative Assistant, Academic HR [notetaker for university admin]
Tonja Petrella - Assistant HR Director, Flint
Corey Seeman - Director, Kresge Library Services, Ross School of Business, Ann Arbor
Allyson Strickland - Academic Labor Relations Representative, Academic HR, Ann Arbor
Jeff Witt - Interim Head, Library HR, University Library, Ann Arbor
Each team gave opening statements, and both sides professed a desire to work quickly, collaboratively, and amicably. LEO-GLAM’s lead negotiator Kathleen Folger noted the historic significance of this moment—it is the first time librarians, archivists, and curators across all three campuses have united together in solidarity.
The opening statement from university administration included a notable summary of their position. On behalf of the university, lead negotiator Sascha Matish described the policies and procedures that guide our working conditions as “working well.” The university believes that our benefits and compensation are “competitive” and consistent with the market. They plead austerity, describing the university’s financial future in uncertain terms, despite the endowment posting gains of 40% in the last year.
From this statement, one wonders if we are being asked to accept the status quo? However, we are not satisfied with the status quo. We seek greater equity, accountability, and transparency. We know the policies and procedures that guide our working conditions are not in fact working well for everyone. We know that our salaries are inequitable across campuses and units, and subject to the same disparities of race and gender that we see elsewhere in the market. The status quo is not enough. The market is not the yardstick against which we wish to be measured, and we believe the university can do better.
Consider joining us at the bargaining table on Friday the 10th, and watch for more updates every Monday after bargaining.