After a meeting on Sept. 1, the faculty and administration remain without a new contract and the Oakland University American Association of University Professors (OU-AAUP) initiated a strike authorization vote.
The major disagreements between bargaining teams are salary increases for full-time and part-time faculty. The union has also shared concerns regarding the lack of retirement contributions for part-time faculty.
The OU-AAUP held two member meetings with over 300 in attendance on August 30. An informal strike authorization vote was called for among faculty, “if the University did not increase its offer prior to the start of classes,” the union said in a press release shared with The Oakland Post on Sept. 1.
“Union leaders will follow up the informal in-person vote with an official electronic vote that they expect will overwhelmingly grant the bargaining team the ability to call a strike if needed,” the union said.
According to the AAUP chapter at Rutgers University, the decision to strike is democratic, authorized by a majority vote in favor through ballots sent to the bargaining unit concerned.
A strike is a work stoppage or slowdown for the purpose of collective bargaining. Thus teaching, delivering assessments, grading, or holding office hours are activities that can be stopped in the case of a strike.
The next bargaining session is scheduled for Sept. 3, a day before Fall classes begin. The Oakland University Bargaining Team will have the opportunity to present an economic proposal or agree with the latest union proposal. The latter has been modified with “a slight decrease in the one-time payment and a small decrease in the summer pay maximum for Year Five of the contract,” the union said in its bargaining diary.
Any confirmation of a strike may come after the Sept. 3 session.
In the past, professors have emailed students with instructions regarding coursework and attendance and in the event of a strike. However, confirmation of a strike has come from OU-AAUP in the late afternoon, a day before the start of classes. During past work stoppages, University communications have instructed students to attend classes but have been allowed to leave if professors do not attend 15 minutes after class starts.
The Oakland Post has contacted OU Administration officials and OU-AAUP officials inquiring about the possibility of a strike, as well as what to expect with communications and procedures in the event of a work stoppage.
For more information, visit the OU-AAUP bargaining diary and OU administration updates.
Ken Mitton • Sep 2, 2024 at 1:41 PM
In the modern age of Moodle, I recommend that all OU students check announcements from their professors there. It is also common for us to email all of our students using Moodle’s class announcements. So watch your OU email. I can only speak for myself but most professors will alert you if a strike is called and they will not be in class. But, that only works if you check your OU email. The problem with timing of strike activity in past years, when it has happened, is that it depends on getting a tentative agreement on the full contract before classes start. Negotiations have gone past midnight the day prior, so the success or lack of an agreeement may not be known untill after standard bed times. The full membership vote for strike authorization will be overwhelmingly supportive, I have no doubt, as I have not heard any faculty express other than support. When you hear a final vote result announced by our union, remember it is just the membership giving our negotiating team the option to use this action. No one should wonder if faculty would man the picket lines at OU, we would and older guys like me have done it several times. Happy Labor Day. It exists for good reasons. Solidarity.
Paul • Sep 2, 2024 at 12:46 PM
Students should demand their payments in full refund. And enroll in another University like Wayne State University. Then the professors won’t have to work because there won’t be any students.
a gilson • Sep 3, 2024 at 1:04 PM
We really really want to be in the classroom, and are so frustrated and disappointed in how the negotiations have been going. Please check out the letters faculty have written to the Oakland Post to see things from our end.
James • Sep 3, 2024 at 5:24 PM
You know Wayne State costs less than OU. Plus, the faculty get paid about $25,000 more. Oh and they have fewer administrators who get paid over state average. Oh, and no Wayne State admin gets a “car allowance” like OU’s president and provost does. Strange why administrators making between 1/4 million to 1/2 million a year needs an “allowance.” But Ora sure has university provided housing! Good for her.