On September 9, Miami University Senator and co-chair of FAM’s Negotiating Team Ginny Boehme updated Miami University Senate on progress in bargaining, explaining the issues that remain to be agreed on:
“We have been diligently working with management’s team this summer to get closer to a first contract for represented faculty and librarians. It takes time to bargain a contract from scratch, but we have made progress, including coming closer together on grievance procedures and faculty evaluations, and a ground-breaking agreement that lays the foundation for negotiating on AI’s potential effects on our employment.
“In several crucial areas, however, there’s still daylight between management’s and FAM’s proposals.
“FAM has proposed a 7% average raise for faculty — a reasonable proposal that would just about bring bargaining unit members in line with the increase in the cost of living. Management’s proposal is a 1.25% annual raise — with no back pay for the raises they refused to give us over the past two summers.”
—Librarian, Miami Senator and FAM Negotiating Team Co-chair Ginny Boehme
“Management continues to offer a proposal FAM is not prepared to accept: Post-Tenure Review. We already have a robust annual review process and the contract will include clear evaluation procedures. Management’s proposed Post-Tenure Review process contains extremely opaque evaluation standards, which, if not met, could result in termination of tenured faculty. By contrast, FAM intends to ensure good teacher-scholars can’t get fired for flimsy reasons.
“Management also differs with FAM on protecting academic freedom in the contract. Especially in these times when faculty around the country are having their speech, teaching, and research silenced by legislatures and boards of trustees, it’s essential to the public good that we defend academic freedom through the contract.
“Finally, compensation. The difference here is stark. FAM has proposed a 7% average raise for faculty — a reasonable proposal that would just about bring bargaining unit members in line with the increase in the cost of living. Management’s proposal is a 1.25% annual raise with no back pay for the raises they refused to give us over the past two summers.
“The differences in these and other proposals amount to separate visions for how the future will look at Miami for faculty and librarians. I encourage each of you to think carefully about these differences and about what you are prepared to do this semester to support the future you would like to see for yourself and your colleagues.”
Ready to take action to support your negotiating team? Join your colleagues at FAM’s Rally for Raises on September 20, 12pm at the Seal by Roudebush! RSVP at tinyurl.com/RallyforRaises.
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