EMU Today

YPSILANTI -- In a special meeting today, Aug. 24, 2022, the Eastern Michigan University Board of Regents approved one new collective bargaining agreement and two wage reopener agreements with the following labor units:

• Eastern Michigan University and UAW Local 1975 (Clerical and Secretarial unit)

• Wage Reopener Agreement Between EMU and the EMU Federation of Teachers Part-Time Lecturers Unit (EMUFT) 

• Wage Reopener Agreement Between EMU and the EMU Federation of Teachers Full-Time Lectures Unit (EMUFT) 

Eastern Michigan University and UAW Local 1975 (Clerical and Secretarial unit)

The bargaining teams agreed to enter into a successor Collective Bargaining Agreement that covers approximately 110 employees and is effective from July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2026. The bargaining unit ratified the agreement on July 13, 2022. The key terms of the extension are as follows:

• An average wage increase of 2.5% for a four-year agreement.

• Significant changes to healthcare to bring the unit in line with the other staff units with which EMU has negotiated contracts over the last 1-2 years. This includes plan design changes (increased deductibles, co-insurance, etc.) and employee premium cost share increases to move the University towards an 80/20% (University/Employee) split (the current split is 90/10%). The

• Movement to a full exclusion of spouses from the University group health plan if a spouse has available group coverage through their employer. In exchange for the significant increased employee costs related to healthcare, the University will

make a one-time payment of $350 per eligible bargaining unit member.

• Modification of TIAA defined contribution plan contributions for employees hired after July 1, 2016, to increase the University's non-discretionary contribution by 1 % aligns this unit with other similarly situated groups on campus (total non-discretionary contribution of 5% ). In exchange, the maximum matching contribution was reduced from 4% to 3% and the total maximum University contribution is unchanged.

• Additional non-economic changes were agreed to where such changes were in the mutual interest of both the University and the Union, e.g., the University will have the ability to make certain changes to job descriptions without Union approval, and the parties agreed to clarity regarding rehire treatment of unit members on layoff.

• Other provisions of the existing Agreement carry forward unchanged.

Wage Reopener Agreement Between EMU and the EMU Federation of Teachers Part-Time Lecturers Unit (EMUFT)

The University and the EMU Federation of Teachers Part-Time Lecturers Unit (EMUFT) reached an agreement on a wage reopener as part of the current 2020-2023 collective bargaining agreement. Significant provisions of the agreement include:

• Effective with the beginning of the academic year 2022-2023, the minimum pay rate shall be:

  • $1,342 for direct instruction per credit, contact, or equivalent hour 

  • $33.68 per hour for Librarians.

• All other provisions within the existing agreement shall remain intact.

Wage Reopener Agreement Between EMU and the EMU Federation of Teachers Full-Time Lectures Unit (EMUFT) 

 The University and the EMU Federation of Teachers Full-Time Lecturers (EMUFT ) reached an agreement on a wage reopener as part of the current 2021-2022 contract extension. . The agreement covers 65 full-time lecturers. Significant provisions of the agreement include:

• Effective with the beginning of the academic year 2022-2023, each employee appointed effective September 1, 2021, shall receive a $2,000 increase to the academic base salary.

• All other provisions within the existing agreement shall remain intact.

About Eastern Michigan University
Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 15,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and its graduate school. National publications regularly recognize EMU for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website. To stay up to date on University news, activities and announcements, visit EMU Today.