Oakland University and the American Association of University Professors have tentatively agreed to resume classes.
The tentative agreement between OU and the AAUP was reached on Tuesday (Sept. 3) night.
Classes are set to resume on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024, and staff have been encouraged to email their students as soon as possible to let them know about the agreement.
On the OaklandAAUP.org site, a statement was posted saying:
“Bargaining Session Update. We have reached a Tentative Agreement, and classes will begin as scheduled tomorrow. We encourage everyone to email their students asap to let them know. Members should check their email for further information about the tentative agreement and ratification process.”
Students were worried about the potential faculty strike before the agreement.
However, two major sticking points were aimed at retirement contributions for guest lectures and wage increases for full-time staff.
According to OU, the union initially rejected a total % pay increase of 21% over five years and said its demand of a 30% increase was “Neither feasible nor sustainable.”
The contract initially expired on Aug. 14 but was extended to Tuesday before the agreement.
“Oakland University and its faculty union reached a tentative agreement late this evening, and classes will begin as scheduled tomorrow. The agreement still needs to be voted on and ratified by faculty union members in the next week or two, but this is great news for all concerned.
I am still gathering all of the official details to share when available and confirmed, but wanted to pass along this news. Please help us get the word out. There will be another email from me at some point tonight or tomorrow morning confirming the details of the agreement.”
OU Director of Media Relations Brian Bierley
After several months of bargaining, the state mediator’s recommendations to resolve the critical issues remaining were followed, and the tentative contract agreement was reached.
Both parties agreed to recommend contract ratification in the coming weeks. The resolution provides a historic compensation package that rewards faculty over the next five years while keeping the university on a fiscally sustainable path.
The agreement includes:
- Year 1: 4% merit pool increase, plus one-time lump sum payments of $1,500 for full-time faculty and $500 for special lecturers
- Year 2: 3% merit pool increase, plus $500,000 allocated for market adjustments
- Year 3: 3% merit pool increase, plus $500,000 allocated for market adjustments
- Year 4: 3% merit pool increase
- Year 5: 3% merit pool increase
The agreement also includes increases for promotional raises and funds for faculty travel and research. It also doubles the retirement stipend for special lecturers.
“Our faculty members’ contributions are critical to our mission and achieving our strategic goals,” said President Ora Hirsch Pescovitz. “This generous package demonstrates our commitment to their continued success.”