Eastern Michigan University will save $5.4 million from layoffs, attrition
Editor's note: This article has been updated with comments from Susan Moeller, president of the university's All Union Council.
Eastern Michigan University will save $3 million from the layoff of 38 employees and $2.4 million by not filling about 30 vacant positions.
The university laid off 38 employees last week, including 28 unionized workers and 10 from administrative positions as a result of the budget approved by the Board of Regents June 21, said Walter Kraft, vice president of communications.
The Halle Library on the Eastern Michigan University campus
File photo
The numbers differ slightly from a list of laid-off union positions released Monday by the the All Union Council. That list included 14 professional technical workers. Susan Moeller, president of the All Union Council and the EMU chapter of the American Association of University Professors, said the union's list includes two people who are on medical leave. No faculty members are being laid off, and the university plans to slightly increase the number of faculty next year.
The layoffs come following approval of a $281.4 million budget in which the university absorbed an $11.4 million cut in its appropriation from the state and dealt with a projected $12 million increase in expenses. In the days before the regents meeting where the budget was approved EMU President Susan Martin asked unions to give up raises already negotiated for the next fiscal year, but the unions rejected the request.
In approving the budget, EMU regents also approved a 3.65 percent tuition increase, the lowest among universities that have approved budgets for next year. Most universities have approved tuition increases between 6 and 7 percent. Regents at the University of Michigan approved a 6.7 percent increase. Last year, EMU kept tuition and room and board rates flat.
Meanwhile, the All Union Council alleges that EMU has not followed established practices in laying off workers and says it plans to file grievance and unfair labor practice claims against the university. In a press release, the council alleged EMU did not give employees proper advance notice of layoffs and informed some employees who were on vacation or medical leave by voice mail.
Kraft said the university respects unions and their members and wants to follow procedures and work with unions in a constructive way. “If we find anything that could have been done differently then we would address that,” Kraft said.
Contact Cindy Heflin at cindyheflin@annarbor.com or 734-623-2572. For more Ypsilanti stories, visit our Ypsilanti page.
Comments
2X EMU Alum
Fri, Jul 1, 2011 : 2:32 a.m.
It's not just Martin or the Chief of Police who have received big fat raises in the past couple of years. Hey AnnArbor.com, perhaps you might want to check on that for a future article. Did anyone making six figures get the axe?
dgomg1
Wed, Jun 29, 2011 : 11:49 p.m.
Why should anyone agree to a pay cut when the Chief got a $30,000 raise. Are you serious Ms. Martin, for the Chief of EMU? The biggest crime occurring at EMU is that raise! There are plenty of equally capable people to be the Chief without demanding or taking outlandish salaries.
Russell Jones
Wed, Jun 29, 2011 : 7:28 p.m.
EMU administration was not willing to reduce the number of layoffs, or offer any other concession, even if all the unions gave up their pay increases. This was the major factor in the vote being a "no". The average clerical worker at EMU earns $35,000 a year. Foregoing their pay rise would have saved the university $250 000. President Martin earns $300 000 a year. EMU tuition subsidizes the athletics program to the tune of $16 million a year, three times the $5.4 million the administration are saving through layoffs. Rick Snyder cut education to fund a $1.7 billion corporate tax break, and now 38 extra people will be claiming unemployment. I'm sure they're not the first and they won't be the last. The numbers don't tell the whole story, but they do lend a little perspective.
Mike K
Wed, Jun 29, 2011 : 5:22 p.m.
Self interest triumphs. Ayn Rand told you so.
MorningGirl
Wed, Jun 29, 2011 : 5:16 p.m.
I wonder if the powers-that-be at EMU have any idea what this has done to the morale of the rest of the employees, who now work in fear of the axe falling on them next. It is not a pleasant environment. Those who were dismissed had no idea their jobs were in jeopardy, and many of these people were loyal EMU employees for many, many years.
information please
Wed, Jun 29, 2011 : 4:06 p.m.
Again, it's the All Union Council, not the AAUP that "alleges": "Meanwhile, the AAUP alleges...." Please correct this error.
Cash
Wed, Jun 29, 2011 : 3:57 p.m.
David Mielke, who serves as a community member on Ann Arbor.com Editorial Board is dean of the EMU College of Business. When it comes to this type of PR blurb from an entity connected to a board member of this website, it always makes me wonder. Sometimes perception really matters.
15crown00
Wed, Jun 29, 2011 : 3:31 p.m.
It sounds to me like Kraft is in charge of propaganda.
15crown00
Wed, Jun 29, 2011 : 3:28 p.m.
and services will b just as good right?tuition just went up.what improvements can the students expect. NO administrators,NONE should be hired.use these 'FULL TIME' profs that are in the class room 8 hrs. a week as kiss up administrators. i wouldn't give a dime to this outfit EVER.
Bill
Wed, Jun 29, 2011 : 1:58 p.m.
The EMU administration seems to have a history of setting bad examples when it comes to negotiations. Seeing that the administration and union representatives are all adults, there should be a way for these groups to negotiate an agreement that works for both sides with each giving. President Martin set a very poor example this year by accepting a raise early in the year. She should return the amount she has been paid to date as well as return to her previously negotiated salary with no bonus. If EMU needs the unions to give up their raises, then apply the same to Administration. And for Administration, don't just try to hide the raise in some form of bonus or other one-time payment. I would also agree that sports at EMU should be evaulated. Universities should place academics FIRST before sports or other activities. EMU has had more than its share of problems with crime. I understand the need to have a police force and a police chief, but again, poor decision to raise the salary $30,000. This is another position that needs to give back and cut back to the previous salary. It is very disappointing to continually see EMU and their unions operate in this fashion.
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Wed, Jun 29, 2011 : 1:50 p.m.
Yes. So that our governor and his rubber-stamp legislature can give away $1.8 billion in tax cuts to his business buddies, the people who work at EMU are expected to take substantial pay cuts in order to save the jobs of others. Makes sense to me. Good Night and Good Luck
Cash
Wed, Jun 29, 2011 : 1:59 p.m.
Yes, more of the middle class disappears from Michigan every day. Michigan = Mexico.
information please
Wed, Jun 29, 2011 : 1:45 p.m.
It's my understanding that EMU was unwilling to agree to avoid layoffs in exchange for wage concessions. These contracts were negotiated in good faith, and there haven't been any drastic changes in the state's financial situation since these agreements were signed. The Regents could have spared the jobs had they prioritized academics rather than athletics in this budget. It doesn't make much sense to "help EMU" fund its athletic programs by giving up extremely minimal raises without a guarantee of saving jobs that contribute directly to the academic mission.
A2 is a Utopia
Wed, Jun 29, 2011 : 1:38 p.m.
sorry no edit feature...LOL once again talk to the people that have been affected by these cuts, it did NOT matter what the unions did or did not do, these cuts where in place regardless, but if it makes you feel better to bash the unknown go for it.
Cash
Wed, Jun 29, 2011 : 1:37 p.m.
Ah, the games people play....... there are currently 15 positions to be filled posted on the EMU website, including two administrators. This game has been played to the hilt for the past 10 years at EMU. The media eats this stuff up. The reality is that positions will be cut and new positions will be created, mostly non-union. Interview some long time workers there, AA.com and you will find the truth.
information please
Wed, Jun 29, 2011 : 1:53 p.m.
Actually, there were 2 strength training positions posted there the day after everyone lost their jobs. The President was notified, and the positions were removed, but this definitely proves your point, and also demonstrates the "athletics first" priorities of this Board.
A2 is a Utopia
Wed, Jun 29, 2011 : 1:35 p.m.
once again talk to the people that have been affected by these cuts, it did NOT matter what the unions did or did not do, these cuts where in place regardless, but if it make you better to bash the unknown go for it.
grye
Wed, Jun 29, 2011 : 1:25 p.m.
This is what happens when budgets are cut and unions do not want to help out. Union members at the bottom would love to have everyone take a pay cut to preserve their jobs. Those at the seniority top could care less. So much for solidarity.
A2 is a Utopia
Wed, Jun 29, 2011 : 1:16 p.m.
I know several people who have been affected by the recent cuts at EMU, weather they have been "bumped" or their job was eliminated. I have spoke to these people as they are good friends, and they said the cuts where planned regardless if the unions forgave their contractual raises or not. The line in the story that says "President Susan Martin asked unions to give up al raises already negotiated for the next fiscal year, but the unions rejected the request", (al should be all, spell check), is actually wrong. If AA.com checked around they would find one union (Sergeants Union) of the many unions at EMU did open up and negotiate their contract, which included a freeze of their contractual raise.
xmo
Wed, Jun 29, 2011 : 1:12 p.m.
Why don't the Unions want to help EMU and the State of Michigan in their time of trouble? "President Susan Martin asked unions to give up all raises already negotiated for the next fiscal year, but the unions rejected the request" Thank Goodness FDR didn't treat Winston Churchill and Great Britain the same way in 1941 (Lend- Lease Program) when they were in trouble and needed help. Nice PR work Labor Unions!
Edward R Murrow's Ghost
Wed, Jun 29, 2011 : 3:10 p.m.
@lumberg: Let's not confuse anyone's opinion by introducing some nasty FACTS!! Good Night and Good Luck
lumberg48108
Wed, Jun 29, 2011 : 2:38 p.m.
Many in the unions were ready to give up a (very small) raise if it would save jobs - but when asked what jobs were to be saved, the unions were given no information. When the PT union asked if (we gave up the raise) could cuts still happen? We received blank stares ... XMO - so while it seems like the unions did not want to help, trust us, it only seems that way. We asked for details or plans - and got nothing in return! Why would be lose a raise with so little information other than "trust us"?
information please
Wed, Jun 29, 2011 : 1:04 p.m.
I believe that the press release was from the All Union Council, not the AAUP. EMU AAUP is just one member of the council. The list of the members are at the bottom of the press release, which is available at <a href="http://emuprofessors.org/pdf/auc627pressrelease.pdf" rel='nofollow'>http://emuprofessors.org/pdf/auc627pressrelease.pdf</a>
Cindy Heflin
Wed, Jun 29, 2011 : 1:55 p.m.
The press release was originally sent to me under AAUP letterhead, but Susan Moeller told me this morning it was later corrected to be from the All Union Council. I've updated the story with comments from Moeller and corrected references to the AAUP later in the article.