March 11, 2025
Oxford, Ohio – The Faculty Alliance of Miami (FAM, AAUP-AFT) has ratified its first faculty and librarian contracts with overwhelming support: 95% of faculty and 100% of librarians voted yes. FAM members also voted to adopt the constitution (94%). This marks a significant achievement in the union’s ongoing efforts to enhance job security, compensation, and academic freedom.
“It came down to our members’ solidarity and action,” said Theresa Kulbaga, lead negotiator and chair of communications for FAM. “In the face of constant attacks on higher education, Miami faculty and librarians chose to fight back and have a stronger voice in decision-making at the local level.”
After more than a year of negotiations, representatives from FAM and Miami University administration successfully reached agreement on February 24th and 25th on faculty and librarian contracts that address key concerns, including salary increases, job security, academic freedom protections for faculty, and a 40-hour workweek for librarians.
“At a time of unprecedented political interference and threats to higher education funding, it has never been more important for faculty and librarians to have a union contract and an organized voice to advocate for themselves, their students, and their profession,” said Ohio Federation of Teachers President Melissa Cropper. “We’re excited to congratulate Faculty Alliance of Miami members on ratifying their contract and to welcome them to the Ohio Federation of Teachers.”
The new agreements introduce new mechanisms for resolving workplace disputes and provide greater stability for faculty and librarians, which in turn benefits students by ensuring stronger input from those who work directly with students in classrooms.
“30% of new unions never close their first contract,” said librarian negotiator Rachel Makarowski, “and our victory in this vote assures that under this contract FAM will continue to be active, organized, and vigilant in protecting our rights, our students, and the educational mission.”
Miami’s Board of Trustees will ratify the contracts next. FAM looks forward to working with the Miami administration to implement the agreement and to build on this success in the future.
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