I stumbled across this the other day: from AFT FACE (which is the web site for the organizing body that represents the lecturers at EMU), a story called “One Down, Two to Go: Great Lakes Bargaining Update.” Here are the opening paragraphs:
Last week we updated you on all of the ongoing contingent faculty organizing activity in Michigan. This week, we focus in on the ongoing negotiations at three other Michigan institutions: Western Michigan University, Michigan State University, and University of Michigan.
Let’s start with the big news. Today, the Professional Instructors Organization (PIO) at Western Michigan University is announcing that “[b]argaining teams for the PIO and the administration of Western Michigan University reached tentative agreement on the union’s first contract on Monday. The agreement is contingent upon ratification by PIO members and The WMU Board of Trustees.”
“We are pleased with the improvements to our working conditions that will occur as a result of this first contract” stated PIO president Karl Schrock. “At a time when other state employees have experienced wage reductions, reduced security and take-backs, we have been able to secure modest gains on all fronts.”
Details of the agreement will be released after ratification.
It’ll be interesting to see what kind of deal the WMU folks got. Everything I’ve heard suggests that faculty negotiations are off to a start, albeit a somewhat rocky one. A suited/administrative-type said to me yesterday they thought there would be a strike, but I personally think it’s way too early to know one way or the other about that.
By the way, what does AFT stand for, anyway?
AFT=American Federation of Teachers. As for what they stand for, depends on who you ask.
Albert Shanke, the AFT president for many years, wrote a column in The New York Times
(published by the union as an ad) entitled “Where We Stand”.
He embodied either the worst of teachers unions leading to the destruction of public education, or the best tradition of unions working for the oppressed, depending on who you asked.
Interesting that you asked what AFT stands for.
Shanke=Shanker.
Current betting odds on a strike by the AAUP at EMU: 75% probability of a strike.
The good news it will set a precedent for the Eastern unit. The bad news is that the University continues to play some kind of wait and see game while out touting education first slogans. It is ironic the group that has the most direct contact with the students gets treated in such a shabby way. The sad aspect to all of this is that it will leave the part-time lecturers with a bitter taste similar to the full-time faculty negotiations in the past. President Martin talked about building a positive relationship with the teaching staff but her actions are just the opposite. This is the pattern of past Presidents so I hope she will come to her senses on this issue.