Today was a proud day for FAM-L: We have now completed submitting our proposed contract articles outlining our vision for librarians at Miami University. Under our proposals, Miami would become a better place to work and study, and we would be able to carry out our mission of high quality education and research more effectively.
This brings to a close six months of initial proposal presentations. Librarians are still waiting for essential proposals from management, particularly regarding salary and benefits. We have been getting it done; now it’s time for management to show the same commitment to completing this contract in a timely way.
Perhaps our most important proposal today centered on ensuring librarian access to sufficient levels of Professional Development Funding. This funding is not only critical for developing our skills in the fastest changing technological era in history — it is critical for working towards promotion. Indeed, librarians are spending hundreds and thousands out-of-pocket to fulfill these scholarship and service demands. A fair funding package means the libraries can attract a much broader pool of librarians — not just those who can afford to live lean for six years.
In addition, our proposal for establishing an ombuds office to resolve complaints will benefit the entire university community.
By contrast, management continued to move exceptionally slowly at the table, only proposing three new articles: two covering different aspects of our promotion process and one defining the length of the contract once it’s ratified.
Now we need to put pressure on the administration to accept our proposals and work with us for a better Miami. Wear red, sign commitment cards, and show up for bargaining — we are only as strong as our solidarity!
The next negotiating session for FAM-L is Wednesday, March 27 at the Demske Staff Development Center (424 Wells Mill Drive, Oxford). Also, don’t miss this summary of last week’s financial analysis by Howard Bunsis in which he showed that management can afford to give faculty and librarians raises! You can view his complete presentation!
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