On Thursday morning, the NMU Board of Trustees convened on Zoom for a special session meeting to discuss Memorandum Number Four presented by the UAW (International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America), the union that represents the staff and office workers at NMU. 

The memorandum called for an acceleration of wages for the staff that would increase the minimum pay to $15.10 per hour. This pay scale was originally negotiated to be implemented on July 1, 2025, within the 2021-2026 UAW contract, but the memorandum voted on today asked for that accelerated pay scale to become effective immediately. 

“We believe this change will enhance our ability to attract and retain top employees in the local market,” Vice President of Finance and Administration Gavin Leach said while presenting the memorandum to the Board of Trustees this morning. 

The Board unanimously approved the memorandum 5-0 and affected individuals will see the pay increase on their Feb. 16 paycheck. 

This meeting also marked President Brock Tessman’s second official day as NMU’s 17th president, and the Board officially welcomed him into office at the start of the meeting. The meeting concluded with unanimous approval of the 2023 Board of Trustees committee appointments and an announcement of the ex officio members who will serve on the NMU Foundation Board of Trustees. 

Trustees Lisa Fittante and Alexis Hart will serve as the ex officio members for the Foundation Board in 2023. 

The NMU Board of Trustees currently has three vacancies that were acknowledged within the committee appointments as well. The complete eleven-minute special meeting can be viewed online.