LIFE Central Michigan University
| Wednesday, August 24, 2011
INSIDE
CENTRAL MICHIGAN
1B — Students experience constant sleeping struggles
cm-life.com
3A - International Faculty Association could have problems with strike 5A - New hot dog business opening soon downtown 7A - Two former Women’s basketball players going international
| Mount Pleasant, Mich.
Friday hearing next step in FA, CMU contract dispute By Theresa Clift University Editor
Isabella Circuit Court Judge Paul H. Chamberlain will hear arguments Friday to determine whether the temporary restraining order sending the faculty back to work after a one-day strike Monday will be made permanent. It was unclear at press time what other remedies the
court has at its disposal. The injunction was sought by Central Michigan University on the grounds that the strike was illegal. The FA argues the university is engaging in an unfair labor practice and their “work stoppage” is legal. Isabella County Circuit Judge Mark Duthie signed on the behalf of Chamberlain at 3:30 p.m. to order CMU’s FA to return to classes immedi-
ately Monday in a temporary restraining order. FA members taught evening classes Monday if they lived close enough to arrive on time. The order also prohibited the FA from participating in picketing for the time being. The Michigan Employment Relations Commission has appointed Barry Goldman as the the factfinder for both sides. Hearing dates for factfinding
on Sept. 7, 9 and 13 have been accepted by both parties, according to a press release from the university. Factfinding is a process in which an impartial party is assigned to hear both sides positions before recommending a collective bargaining agreement. Both the FA and CMU filed petitions for factfinding July 14. The proposals of both sides
have not changed significantly since then, FA President Laura Frey said. “The university remains committed to continuing to work through the factfinding process to resolve this matter in a timely manner that is fair and equitable to all parties,” Public Relations Director Steve Smith said in a press release. Negotiations between the FA and CMU’s bargaining teams
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Video of Ross’ speech Rally slideshow 2008 protest collage FA links page Contract documents
A injunction | 2a
What FA achieved in past contracts By Annie Harrison Senior Reporter
In the past decade CMU and the Faculty Association ‘s contract decision have varied. The 2002-05 contract divided the base salary increases by the rank of bargaining unit members for each year. During the 2002-03 academic and fiscal year, professors received a 2 percent plus $1,470 minimum base salary increase. Associate professors received a 2 percent plus $1,165 increase and assistant professors received a 2 percent plus $1,005 increase. Instructors received a 2 percent plus $770 increase. During the 2003-04 academic and fiscal year, professors received a 2.0 percent plus $1,600 minimum base salary increase, associate projeff smith/photo editor
University President George Ross looks at his watch Monday afternoon while walking from Charles V. Park Library to Warriner Hall after a press conference as hundreds of protestors follow behind chanting “negotiate now”.
BACK IN CLASS
Students confused by mixed messages CM Life Staff Reports
Students wove their way through campus between striking faculty on the way to the empty classrooms those faculty would normally inhabit. Central Michigan University was the scene of much confusion for students after more than 600 members of the Faculty Association started striking Monday morning after being without a contract since June 30. The FA bargaining team and CMU officials met throughout the week of Aug. 15, but no deal was made, leading the faculty to declare the strike. Isabella County Circuit Judge Mark Duthie signed on the behalf of Isabella County Trial Court Judge Paul H. Chamberlain to order the FA to return to classes immediately in a temporary restraining order. The case will be heard at 9 a.m. on Friday to determine if FA’s teaching will continue beyond this week. University President George Ross condemned the Faculty Association’s decision to strike Monday at a press conference, calling the action “illegal.” A reaction | 5a
adam niemi/staff photographer
Hundreds of students and faculty picket outside Charles V. Park Library Monday morning as University President George Ross addresses the media about the FA strike.
charlotte bodak/staff photographer
Grand Rapids sophomore Jennifer VanDuren and Waterford sophomore Tom Jackson sit with signs supporting Central Michigan University’s faculty Tuesday morning in the Pearce/Anspach courtyard.
fessors received a 2 percent plus $1,270 increase, assistant professors received a 2 percent plus $1,095 increase and instructors received 2 percent plus $845 increase. During the 2004-05 academic and fiscal year, professors received a 2 percent plus $1,670 minimum base salary increase, associate professors received a 2 percent plus $1,325 increase, assistant professors received a 2 percent plus $1,140 increase and instructors received a 2 percent plus $875 increase. The base salary increases in the 2005-08 contract were not divided by the rank of bargaining unit members. Each bargaining unit member received a minimum base salary increase of 3 percent in
A history | 2a
Strikes similar at CMU, EMU By Sammy Dubin Staff Reporter
Central Michigan University is not the first university in recent years to experience its faculty union striking. Eastern Michigan University also had a similar work stoppage performed in September 2006. American Association of University Professors-Eastern Michigan University Chapter EMUAAUP, struck for 14 days before factfinding helped the two sides come to a compromise. They also performed a work stoppage in 2000 and 2004. The CMU administration filed an injunction in circuit court Monday morning to halt the FA work stoppage, stating it illegal. University President George Ross held a press conference Monday where he spoke about the FA work stoppage. Ross compared CMU to EMU and told the crowd to read the record. “President Martin at Eastern Michigan University laid off more than 70 people,” Ross said. However, according to EMU’s office of communications and public affairs, they laid off 37 people. The source from the com-
munications office said there were 75 total positions that were eliminated, however 38 of those positions had no employees working in them. EMU has also been calling people back to work, and their lay-off number now stands at 25. The Michigan Employment Relations Commission conducted the factfinding for EMU’s strike in 2006. According to their website, MERC resolves labor disputes involving public and private sector employees by appointing mediators, arbitrators and factfinders, conducting union representation elections, determining appropriate bargaining units and adjudicating unfair labor practice cases.” Ultimately, the factfinding result was in favor of EMUAAUP, said executive director of media relations Geoff Larcom. “The factfinding raised the professionalism of the two sides,” he said. EMU-AAUP President Susan Moeller said EMU administration threatened the union to file an injunction in 2006, but never went through with it. “They threaten but never do anything…Washtenaw
A EMU | 2A
What each side wants in FA, CMU negotiations CMU’S proposal broken down By Theresa Clift University Editor and Adam Niemi Staff Reporter
The university’s biggest priority in bargaining is saving money for the future.
CMU proposes to freeze the Faculty Association members’ salary this year, implement a 2.25-percent increase to their annual base next year, and a 2.5percent increase in 201314. CMU proposes changes to the flexible benefit program that restructured FA members’ health and prescription monthly rates. Its proposals would remove
the Michigan Education Special Services Association as the health care provider, starting on Jan. 1, 2012, and replacing it with the university plan. Both plans are affiliated with Blue Cross Blue Shield. CMU also proposes to increase the number of years it takes faculty members to earn promotions and also A proposal | 5a
FA’s proposal broken down By Theresa Clift University Editor and Adam Niemi Staff Reporter
The Faculty Association’s biggest priorities are a fair contract, taking into consideration the university’s $224 million in unrestricted funds.
93 Years of Serving as Central Michigan University’s Independent Voice
The FA proposes accepting a salary freeze this semester, a 2.2-percent increase to their annual base next semester, a 3.7-percent increase next year, and a 3.9-percent increase in 2013-14. This FA proposal would cost CMU an approximate $10 million extra over the next three years. The FA proposal includes keeping the bargaining unit the same as in the past. FA President
Laura Frey said she does not understand why CMU wants to remove certain employee groups from the unit, changing up the 42-year history. The FA proposes to keep MESSA health coverage, but change the coverage levels. The FA proposes a $600 signing bonus for 12-month faculty. Finally, the FA proposes to keep the current contract language for promotions.