The American Association of University Professors and Oakland University were shut out of the bargaining room Monday after the state-appointed mediator was unable to meet with both sides due to a scheduling conflict.

AAUP President Karen Miller said the mediator was forced to devote more time to another case she is working on, causing the cancellation of talks between the AAUP and OU.

“Both sides knew she’s working other cases and that this was going to be a busy week for her,” Miller said. “One of her other cases suddenly required more time and she had to adjust her time with us today. That meant the postponement.”

Since the cancellation of talks between the two sides was caused by the mediator, she has ask both sides to agree to an extension of the 2009 faculty contract until she is able to meet with them later in the week. This is the third time the contracts have been extended.

“We have agreed to all of her proposed alternate times and have stated that we support an extension to at least the end of the next day of talks,” Miller said. “I have not yet heard whether the administration has agreed, but I can’t imagine why they would not do so.”

The AAUP is currently still awaiting an updated economic proposal from the administration.

Both Oakland University and AAUP’s bargaining teams were unable to comment.

For more information on the negotiations, visit the AAUP’s bargaining website or OU’s bargaining website.