Become a member of LEO today.
Membership has its benefits!
As a dues-paying lecturer, librarian, archivist, or curator on any of the three University of Michigan campuses, your membership in the union gives you a voice and a vote in our democratic, member-led decision making. We urge you to join the union and participate actively.
On this page you can learn more about our gains and read answers to some of our most frequently asked questions about joining the union.
Still have questions?
Please contact us so we can answer them.
Membership FAQs
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No, you are only a union member if you have signed a union membership card that authorizes the payment of union dues from your paycheck. There is no automatic union membership regardless of your appointment or title.
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As a union member, you get to vote! From electing officials to make decisions, approving the budget and bargaining platform, and ratifying contracts, membership is your ticket to being part of our democratic union. You’ll also have opportunities to enjoy social events and be in solidarity with the wider labor community.
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Union dues are 1.6% of your salary as a Lecturer, Librarian, Archivist, or Curator. If you have more than one job title at University of Michigan, your LEO dues should only be deducted from the work you do that is covered by our collective bargaining agreements.
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Since we are a local union of AFT-MI which is a part of the AFT national union, a portion of our dues go to our parent organizations to help provide technical, legal, and material support to LEO, other locals, and newly forming unions to help build the power of organized labor. Another portion of our dues goes to pay for our staff organizers who help employees navigate our contracts, train our union stewards, and maintain healthy engagement amongst members to ensure we are a strong and democratic organization. You can view the itemized LEO Budget for more details.
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Most of the basic information you’ll need regarding our collective bargaining agreements can be found through this website, but note that every department throughout the university has their own policies, procedures, and culture so it’s best to connect with a union steward in your area to help orient you to what you need to know. There are employee handbooks, faculty handbooks, HR & SPG documents galore!
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The University uses a percentage of Full Time Effort (FTE) to calculate benefits eligibility. If your FTE is 50% or higher for 4 months or more, you should be eligible to receive benefits. If you’re employed at 80% FTE or higher the employer will cover more of the cost of some of your benefits. Through collective bargaining, Lecturers have won the ability to average out their FTE between two consecutive semesters to meet the 50% FTE eligibility requirement.
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We pride ourselves on being a democratic, member-driven union which is only possible because of member participation. Be sure to check your email and follow us on social media, fill out member surveys, and attend departmental and general membership meetings! We have committees that you can join according to your interests, and you can also run for positions as stewards and officers.
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Talk with your unit steward, or contact LEO staff immediately so that we can make sure you get the assistance you need.
Lecturers (Lecs)
Lecturers organized in 2003 and ratified their first contract in 2004.
Since then, Lec gains include:
Increased minimum salaries since 2003, from $29,000 to $51,000 (+76%) in Ann Arbor and $14,000 to $51,000 in Flint and Dearborn (+264%).
Performance evaluations that offer a clear, transparent process where problems identified more often result in remediation rather than termination.
Presumption of renewal for more senior lecturers.
Stronger job protection and layoff rights, and clear timelines for notification of work assignments, with penalties for late notification and late course cancellation.
Continuing Reviews (starting in your 12th year) should be less onerous and more collaborative; successful completion of your Continuing Review will result in an appointment with no end date.
The same benefits as tenure-track faculty, for disability, retirement, health insurance, and parental leave.
Stronger claim to health benefits despite fluctuations in assigned effort, and during summer months when not working.
Up to $1500 per lecturer (regardless of assigned effort) in professional development funds, and up to $1200 per lecturer (regardless of assigned effort) in inclusive teaching funds.
Librarians, Archivists, and Curators (LACs)
LACs organized in 2021 (as LEO-GLAM) and ratified their first contract in 2022.
Since then, LAC gains include:
Access to a guaranteed amount of money for professional development, as well as a shared pool of additional funds.
A 12-month probationary period across all units (previously some units used a 2-year probationary period).
Clear policies for workload and remote work, as well as accessible and safe workspaces.
The ability to pursue promotion, regardless of appointment type or unit.
Recognition of the right to academic freedom and the ability to serve as a principal investigator on sponsored projects.
Minimum salaries established with parity across all three campuses achieved in the first year of the contract.
An overall increase of 17% to bargaining unit salaries over the three years of the contract, with raises ranging from 9% to 30+% for the lowest paid Librarians, Archivists, and Curators (LACs).
