NMU-AAUP votes no on proposed contract
Dreyma Beronja/NW MOVING FORWARD—The ratification vote over the proposed contract held on Tuesday resulted in a down vote against the contract at a 137 to 92.
September 30, 2021
Northern Michigan University’s faculty union, NMU-AAUP, has voted no on the proposed contract at a 137 to 92.
The ratification vote took place yesterday from 4-6 p.m. in Jamrich room 1100. The vote discussed the current proposed contract and to vote on whether or not to approve it.
Voting had been taking place since last Friday and ended yesterday at 6 p.m.
In an email sent out later that evening by Dwight Brady, NMU-AAUP president, said that he hopes the two sides can get back to the table and quickly resolve the remaining issues.
“I knew there was a fair amount of resistance going into the vote, especially on the three percent cut to promotions,” Brady wrote in his email. “This issue disproportionately impacts our younger faculty, and we will do our best to make this workable for them.”
Brady wrote in his email that inflation concerns, summer pay and professional development funds were factored into the vote.
“Now that the contract has been rejected by the faculty, we hope we can make gains that will allow for a yes vote the next time we attempt to ratify a contract proposal,” Brady said.
Contract negotiation mediation has been going on since July 19. Brady said that the long process has taught AAUP about perseverance.
“We have never been through a negotiating period quite like this,” Brady said. “Our contract was not extended, we brought in a state mediator, and now, we had a contract turned down by the faculty.”
Yesterday evening, after results from the ratification vote was announced, NMU administration sent out their statement by email.
“It is unfortunate that the AAUP ratification vote failed, but we will continue to work with them to reach an agreement as soon as possible.” NMU administration wrote in the email.
Moving forward, Brady said that he hopes the contract outcome will better the university as a whole.
“Anything that helps attract and retain quality faculty will ultimately help our university, and the mediator helped in that regard, but there is obviously still work to be done,” Brady said.
