Miami’s TCPL and tenured, and tenure-track faculty have won the right to collectively bargain through FAM, and librarians are not far behind. Bargaining will start soon! FAM has already contacted Miami University to express our intent to bargain. For a strong contract, it’s important that as many colleagues as possible are informed and involved in the bargaining process. Here’s what you need to know about the bargaining survey, raises, and getting involved.
Bargaining Survey
Regardless of how you voted, FAM is your union. FAM’s bargaining council (see below) will use your input to develop a bargaining platform for members to vote on. For this first contract to be as strong as possible, input from as many faculty as possible is essential. Please complete the bargaining survey by June 2!
Why does the bargaining survey ask for my name and information?
- Clarification and context. Your bargaining council may follow up so they can fully grasp your concerns.
- Convincing the other side. Effective negotiating depends not only on data, but credible stories. Your voice explaining your situation could be crucial.
- Common concerns. Colleagues facing similar issues can connect (with permission) to brainstorm solutions.
- Security. Only unit members should be completing the survey (we want to deter potential trolls).
Your information is confidential; your survey input and identifying information will only be used with your explicit permission!
Raises during the bargaining process
That depends on the administration! The University made a decision to carve out certain folks from receiving raises, but there is nothing legally that prevents the University from meeting with FAM to discuss raises, even prior to the election being certified.
While Miami leadership can no longer make decisions on raises and working conditions unilaterally, if they contact FAM, we will happily discuss raises. FAM has already reached out.
Get involved
The best way is to join the bargaining council, which will develop contract proposals and from the bargaining council, we will create the negotiating team. Submit this form to join or nominate a colleague for this crucial work!
All are welcome on the bargaining council! We need a diverse (in all ways) council to represent all faculty in the unit. The only requirement for service on the council is signing a FAM membership card.
Become a member now!
If you haven’t yet signed a membership card, contact your liaison (department organizer) or write info ar famiami dot org. Note that no one pays dues during the negotiating period. Dues are voted on by membership only after a final contract is approved — meaning that members will know what raises and benefits have been negotiated before they vote on or pay dues. You can start or end membership at any time. The stronger a union’s membership, the stronger the contract it can negotiate…
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