A tentative labor contract has been reached by the American Association of University Professors and the university and was sent out for membership approval votes on Monday, Sept. 10.

Many changes were made to past contracts to create this agreement, and, if approved by AAUP members, it will be sent to the NMU Board of Trustees for approval at their meeting on Friday, Sept. 21.

The contract will go into effect immediately and run through June 30, 2015.

A chapter membership contract ratification meeting from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 13 in Room 2904 of the West Science building.

The chief negotiator and negotiating team members will give a short overview of the agreement and answer any questions.

Another meeting will be held for those who still have questions from 3 to 5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 17.

The North Wind previously reported that AAUP works with the university to establish both financial and non-financial agreements for the faculty.

The labor contracts with NMU must be able to compete with other universities in order to draw in high quality teachers.

The last AAUP contract expired June 30, 2012 and has been under negotation since the Winter 2012 semester.

According to www.nmuaaup.org AAUP works to “serve as the collective bargaining agent for the faculty of the university.”

AAUP members can return their ballots by campus mail to the AAUP office by 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 17 to be counted in the vote.

No union members or faculty were able to comment at this time until the contract is approved.