U-M Lecturers’ Union Ratifies Historic Contract

by Brianna Foraker

On Sunday, September 19th, the University of Michigan Lecturers’ Union (LEO – AFT MI Local 6244) announced ratification of the Union’s 2021-2024 contract. With a 96.6 percent “yes” vote of the voting membership, the ratification comes after nine months of contract negotiations with the University administration. In August, lecturers threatened to withdraw from their contract.

Over 780 lecturers  (well over 75 percent of the membership) participated in the contract campaign, which led to historic contract gains including parity in starting pay, with lecturers on all three campuses making a minimum of $51,000 by academic year 2023-24. Meanwhile, a current lecturer at the median salary at Dearborn and Flint will see an increase of more than $12,000 over the life of the contract. The contract also includes longevity raises, increased job security provisions, enhanced sick pay, teaching professor titles for longer serving lecturers, and guaranteed annual raises of at least 2.25, 2.75, and 3.25 percent.  These provisions will benefit lecturers on all three campuses. 

Kirsten Herold is President, Lecturers’ Employee Organization (LEO). She said:  “This was a long long process, lasting well over a year, first meeting and then bargaining during COVID.  I am proud that we found a way to have such an open, inclusive, and democratic campaign in spite of the Zoom constraints. I am also excited that we managed to secure such meaningful and historic gains for our Flint and Dearborn lecturers while at the same time improving the working conditions for all our members in numerous ways, large and small. “