August 20, 2010

Central Michigan University Nontenure-Track Faculty Vote for Union, OVERWHELMING VICTORY

Mount Pleasant, MI - Nontenure-track faculty at Central Michigan University voted overwhelmingly today for union representation, and gained the right to negotiate job security, health insurance, salary, and other conditions of employment with the university administration. Instructors voted by a greater than 3 to 1 margin for representation, thus certifying the Union of Teaching Faculty, an affiliate of AFT Michigan, as the official collective bargaining agent. Only a handful of votes were tallied for the Michigan Education Association.

Nontenure-track faculty, frequently appointed on a semester-by-semester basis, teach an increasing percentage of courses at Central Michigan and at universities nationwide. Many supported unionization because of the need for improved job security. "We make a serious commitment to the university, our students, and the community; we want the university to make a commitment to us," said Sue Murphy, who teaches English at the university.

"We had to overcome a number of obstacles to get here, but today's victory means that we finally have a voice at the table," said theater instructor, Elizabeth Richard. "This is the culmination of over a year of hard work, and we are excited to begin bargaining in the fall."

CMU nontenure-track faculty join the growing ranks of higher education unions in Michigan; lecturers at the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Western Michigan University, Wayne State University, Henry Ford Community College, Eastern Michigan University, and Ferris State University have organized recently. All are affiliated with AFT Michigan, AFT, and the AFL-CIO.

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Daniel J. Kukuk
Organizer: AFT Michigan, AFL-CIO
djkukuk@gmail.com