EMU, part-time lecturers reach agreement to hold election on unionization
Eastern Michigan University announced today it has reached an agreement with the EMU Federation of Teachers to hold an election for a union that would represent adjunct teaching instructors.
The new bargaining unit would include instructional staff teaching at least one credit hour at the university. It would not represent tenure-track faculty or full-time lecturers represented by the American Association of University Professors. Visiting professors, doctoral fellows and teaching assistants also would not be included in the new unit.
“This agreement will give an additional estimated 500 teachers the opportunity to elect a collective bargaining representative and join our many valued teaching faculty who are already represented,” Jack Kay, EMU provost and executive vice president, said in a statement.
EMUFT representative and part-time math instructor Paul Horvath said in a statement that the union looks forward to working with administrators through the election.
The agreement comes after several weeks of talks between the university and representatives of the proposed unit. Supporters of the unit staged several, day-long sit-ins in the office of President Susan Martin and spoke at several regents meetings.
The parties have already contacted the Michigan Employment Relations Commission to announce their agreement and to begin the election process, which is supervised by the commission, the release said.
An election will be conducted by mail ballot. Should the EMU Federation of Teachers be certified as the collective bargaining representative for the adjunct teaching instructors, contract negotiations for an initial agreement would begin in the fall, the release said.
Comments
BlueTwisted Steel
Sat, May 8, 2010 : 8:54 a.m.
Alain, my grand parents were hardworking, independently successful farmers, not union lackeys. I grew up underpriveledged (sp?) and bootstrapped myself going to university at night, continued with grad school, and did well enough they invited me to teach in the program. This is in addition to my full-time career. My retired GM-UAW brother, who sold pop while avoiding work in the plant, retired with more benefits than he earned or deserved while the government (us U.S. taxpayers...) eventually bailed out GM, since they were so chicken livered over the decades to stand up to the unions and fight for what is right. Puhlease.......
xmo
Sat, May 8, 2010 : 8:28 a.m.
I hope they choose not to unionize! Unions makes everyone come down to the lowest level. After all, the teachers are educating our children, and everybody wants the best for them!
Dante Marcos
Fri, May 7, 2010 : 7:43 p.m.
Blue Twisted Steel, Without unions you wouldn't be here to comment on this article: your grandmother would have died in a factory at the age of 19, having made just enough money to buy flour and yarn for socks. I'd suggest, rather than naysaying this historic and wonderful event, you might... find another place of employment, one that is not yet collectivized. But if you do that, I wish you and your future the best of luck - which you will certainly need.
BlueTwisted Steel
Fri, May 7, 2010 : 5:48 p.m.
I am an EMU adjunct that fits the criteria for the union vote. I will vote a resounding NO! Unions are a major detriment to the spirit of competition and individual responsibility that has made this nation great. One question for the A2.com staff - if the vote passes, will affected parties be forced to join the union to continue the employment relationship? Thanks!