YPSILANTI, Mich. – The Eastern Michigan University Board of Regents approved a new four-year contract for 506 full-time faculty members during a special meeting on Monday.
The agreement was ratified on Sept. 23 by 96% of members of EMU’s chapter of the American Association of University Professors after days of back-and-forth between the union and Ypsilanti university.
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Faculty contracts expired in August. Those impacted originally went on strike on Sept. 7 after university and faculty union negotiations over healthcare costs and salary increases failed. Educators returned to classrooms on Sept. 12 after a tentative deal was struck.
“This is a good day for Eastern Michigan University students and our campus community,” said EMU President James Smith in a release. “While it took a great deal of dialogue and patience, we are pleased with the terms of the agreement. Credit goes to the bargaining teams from AAUP and the administration who were determined to find solutions to highly complex issues.”
The four-year labor contract covers more than 500 full-time EMU faculty members and includes increases in base pay, changes to health care plan costs and faculty parking costs.
“We’re thrilled to start a new chapter and continue to focus on our students who count on us daily to support their academic interests and achievements,” said Smith.
The university serves more than 15,000 students engaged with more than 300 concentrations out of its Ypsilanti campus.
Read: Eastern Michigan University faculty ratify new contract