The union representing 1,700 lecturers on all three University of Michigan campuses has reached a tentative contract agreement with the university administration on a new three-year contract.
In a joint statement issued the evening of Sept. 13 by the Lecturers’ Employee Organization and the administration, representatives said the agreement increases the minimum salaries for lecturers on the Dearborn and Flint campuses by $10,000 by the end of the contract, achieving minimum-pay parity across the three campuses, a key objective of the union.
Further details of the agreement will be released after LEO conducts a ratification vote this week.
In addition to eliminating the difference in minimum salaries among the three campuses, the tentative agreement also addresses “leapfrogging” concerns about the salaries of long-serving lecturers to stay ahead of newer lecturers, adds longevity pay to the contract and provides significant annual increases on all three campuses.
The agreement also covers other provisions of lecturers’ employment including layoff, benefits eligibility and sick pay.
“We’re delighted to have reached this agreement. We had amazing support for our membership and believe reaching parity in starting salaries across campuses is a huge milestone for our members,” said Kirsten Herold, LEO president and lead negotiator, who is a lecturer IV in the School of Public Health in Ann Arbor.
Dominick Fanelli, chief negotiator for the university, said, “We are pleased to have reached an agreement that provides a fair salary and maintains the university’s goal of providing much-needed flexibility in benefits, as well as continuing security for lecturers.”
LEO and the university administration have been bargaining since January. The current agreement, which was set to expire Sept. 15, has been extended through Sept. 25.
