ROCHESTER, Mich. (CBS DETROIT) — Oakland University and its professors are at an impasse in contract negotiations as the fall semester approaches.
The current contract between the union representing the professors and the university expires on August 15, but the two are still at odds over the OU proposal.
The university proposed an equal workload for all special teachers and offered a 4% salary increase based on a mandatory merit system. The union finds both unacceptable.
“We’re not looking for big fat paychecks. We’re looking to make up for what we’ve lost,” said Karen Miller, former president and current member of the Oakland University Professors Union.
Miller said professors’ losses stemmed from the COVID-19 pandemic, when staff were forced to switch to distance learning. She said they had to purchase new technology and faster internet service, often at their own expense. Meanwhile, they didn’t get raises, while inflation rose significantly.
“But they loved their students and they loved the university,” Miller said. “And they want the university to be a great place to get an education.”
According to Miller, the university’s offering is not compatible with that of other institutions.
“And that becomes very problematic. We are afraid that we are going to lose professors to other institutions,” she said.
“That’s the nature of negotiation,” said Interim Provost Kevin Corcoran. “We wouldn’t have to negotiate if the two sides agreed. There would be nothing to negotiate.”
As the start date for the fall semester approaches, it remains unclear whether Oakland University will begin on September 4 or if it will have to be postponed due to a possible strike.
“In the past, it’s happened that the two sides have agreed to extend the contract for a week or something, so that there could be negotiations,” Corcoran told CBS News Detroit. “But we’ll cross that bridge when we get there.”
Walter Murphy
