News from the Lecturers' Employee Organization (LEO), the union of non tenure-track faculty at the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, Dearborn, Flint). AFT-Michigan Local #6244, AFL-CIO.
LEO, 330 E. Liberty Street, Suite 3F, Ann Arbor, MI 48104
(734) 995-1813, FAX: (734) 995-3733
--email:
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Saturday, 06 March 2010 23:10 |
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The two sides met again on Friday, March 5, holding informal discussions throughout the day.
Much of the focus was on the union's proposal to revise the appointments article. The discussion of what happens after a lecturer passes the second major review seemed productive. The two sides apparently agree that endless major reviews are not helpful, but are still searching for a viable alternative on which they can agree. There was also discussion, perhaps less productive, of the union's proposals that initial L1 appointments be for one year when the unit anticipates needing the lecturer for a year, and that LIVs should all have appointments of the same length (between the first and second major review) to avoid the problem that some individuals have to wait two extra years for their second 7% raise. Finally, the two sides discussed LEO's proposal to give adjunct and intermittent lecturers a chance to earn presumption of renewal.
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Editorial: How not to cross a picket line |
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Saturday, 06 March 2010 15:48 |
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March 4 passed quietly on the three campuses of The University of Michigan, but such was not the case elsewhere. While Michigan's students and faculty enjoyed a well-earned break (how did we make it seven weeks without one?), our counter-parts in California and several other states took to the streets to protest higher-education cut-backs, tuition increases, and privatization efforts.
Of course, not everyone was on the side of truth and justice. One organization in particular -- the UC Movement for Efficent Privatization (UCMeP) -- was out in force aiding reactionaries who wished to cross picket lines and "keep business going as usual." Indeed, the UCMeP published a series of videos demonstrating how to avoid pickets and "ignore the moral, ethical, and political consequences of your actions."
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"Unions reduce inequality" -- economist |
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Thursday, 04 March 2010 09:15 |
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According to Harry J. Holzer, Professor of Public Policy at Georgetown University and a former chief economist at the U.S. Labor Department, "evidence shows unions reduce costly worker turnover, raise the skill levels of employees, and often lead to more productivity. And any negative union effects on employment or economic growth in the U.S. and abroad are mostly modest." Moreover, it is beyond doubt that " unions raise the wages and benefits of their workers and tend to reduce economic inequality." The increase in economic inequality in the U.S. over the last 30 years correlates with the decrease in private-sector union membership.
Holzer notes that as an economist he has sometimes been at odds with the organized labor, but that "a sensible discussion requires a careful, dispassionate look at the theory and evidence on unions -- rather than right-wing ideology and stereotypes dressed up as analysis."
"Wrecking U.S. Economy Didn’t Start With Labor," Bloomberg.com. March 3, 2010.
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"UM booming" says Detroit News |
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Tuesday, 02 March 2010 11:11 |
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Times are tough all over -- or are they? The Detroit News reports today that The University of Michigan is weathering the economic downturn just fine, thank you. In terms of finances, the big school in Ann Arbor is doing better than most universities across the country and far better than its in-state rival in East Lansing. The UM has been able to raid other institutions for top-ranked research faculty and is completing or about to break ground on huge campus construction projects, spending tens of millions in the process. Indeed, these are boom times at The University of Michigan:
U-M President Mary Sue Coleman boasted of the school's ability to "capitalize on the economic downturn" during her annual State of the University speech in October. "If there is a benefit to the recession and the fact our peers are not making (job) offers, it is that the University of Michigan is in an opportune position to recruit ... (and) move forward with a research expansion unlike any other in higher education," Coleman said.
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Bargaining continues, layoff rumors persist |
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Sunday, 28 February 2010 09:42 |
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LEO and the administration met in a small group session on Wednesday, February 24, to discuss the visa needs of international lecturers and also modified duties for new parents. On Friday morning, February 26, smaller groups discussed Performance Reviews. In the afternoon, the full teams met, with the Union presenting yet another version of the Appointments article. The parties seem to be moving towards agreement in some areas of Appointments, but still need to talk more about the key issue: what happens after a lecturer successfully completes a second major review. Once again, LEO members from all three campuses attended the session and participated in the caucus and the drafting of language. Next session will be this Friday (yes, during our break!) in the School of Social Work from 9:30 to 5, once again open to all LEO members.
At the end of the day, LEO pressed the administration regarding rumored lecturer layoffs in several LSA departments in Ann Arbor. As of yet, these are only rumors, yet they have persisted and have come from multiple sources. The contract mandates that the Union be informed about all layoffs; however, compliance is far from perfect. LEO members who hear anything definite about layoffs are asked to call the LEO office (734-995-1813) or to email VP Kirsten Herold (
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).
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