Miami's TCPL and tenured, and tenure-track faculty have won the right to collectively bargain through FAM, and librarians are not far behind. Bargaining will start soon! FAM has already contacted Miami University to express our intent to bargain. For a strong contract, it's important that as many colleagues as possible are informed and involved in the bargaining process. Here's what you need to know about the bargaining survey, raises, and getting involved. Bargaining SurveyWhy is it important to fill out the bargaining survey? Regardless of how you voted, FAM is your union. FAM’s bargaining council (see below) will use your input to develop a bargaining platform for members to vote on. For this first contract to be as strong as possible, input from as many faculty as possible is essential. Please complete the bargaining survey by June 2! Why does the bargaining survey ask for my name and information?
Raises during the bargaining processWill I get a raise during the bargaining phase? That depends on the administration! The University made a decision to carve out certain folks from receiving raises, but there is nothing legally that prevents the University from meeting with FAM to discuss raises, even prior to the election being certified. While Miami leadership can no longer make decisions on raises and working conditions unilaterally, if they contact FAM, we will happily discuss raises. FAM has already reached out. Get involved How can I be part of the negotiating process? The best way is to join the bargaining council, which will develop contract proposals and from the bargaining council, we will create the negotiating team. Submit this form to join or nominate a colleague for this crucial work! All are welcome on the bargaining council! We need a diverse (in all ways) council to represent all faculty in the unit. The only requirement for service on the council is signing a FAM membership card. Become a member now! If you haven’t yet signed a membership card, contact your liaison (department organizer) or write info ar famiami dot org. Note that no one pays dues during the negotiating period. Dues are voted on by membership only after a final contract is approved — meaning that members will know what raises and benefits have been negotiated before they vote on or pay dues. You can start or end membership at any time. The stronger a union's membership, the stronger the contract it can negotiate... Questions?
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It's Time To Vote Yes!FAM librarians! Voting for your FAM Librarians AAUP-AFT union begins May 23 and continues through June 6. To count, your confidential ballot must be correctly filled out (please mark your vote with an "X," not some other mark!) and mailed within this two-week window. Be sure to sign the outside of your ballot envelope after marking your ballot with an "X."
Mails were slow with the TCPL/tenured/tenure-track election, so get your ballot in the mail as soon as you receive it! Votes will be tallied June 14 in Columbus. Congratulations and solidarity! Yes colleagues, you WON! That's what time it is! Here's an article in today's Cincinnati Enquirer and our press release is below. For more, check the @famiamioh tweets from today in Columbus. OXFORD, Ohio — In a historic union election at Miami University, faculty won their union and therefore the power to bargain for better working conditions protected by a legal contract. An overwhelming majority of faculty cast ballots in favor of being represented by the Faculty Alliance of Miami (FAM), part of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) and American Federation of Teachers (AFT). The results (450 to 241) were certified on May 17th at the State Employment Relations Board (SERB). Join FAM for a Celebration —FAM's had an amazing year. Come celebrate with food, drink, crafts, outdoor games, music, and cheer(s) at the uptown park in Oxford on Thursday, May 18, 4-7pm. All FAM supporters and allies welcome! Optional: bring a blanket and/or lawn chair(s). Check your email for an Evite invitation; reach out to info@famiami.org with questions.
The vote on Faculty Alliance of Miami's first collective bargaining unit, which concluded on May 2, will be counted this Wednesday, May 17 in Columbus (be there!). In an ironic twist, on the same day at the same time, the Higher Ed Destruction Act — anti-labor sub Senate Bill 83 — will likely be voted on by the Ohio Senate. And opposition testimony will be heard by the House Workforce and Higher Ed Committee on the companion bill, House Bill 151. Take action now! These expensive unfunded mandates will threaten academic freedom and diversity efforts at Miami and across Ohio. Plus, they would block our union from negotiating on tenure, evaluation, and retrenchment as well as workload, and ban strikes — the most important leverage a union has (even if it is never used). The best way you can oppose the Higher Ed Destruction Bills is to submit testimony by Tuesday morning, May 16. You can also help by packing the house to show legislators how passionate the opposition to these bills is. Making calls to senators before the floor vote on SB 83 (Wednesday 1:30pm) will also help a lot. Here's how to take action now.u FAM is running a car pool on Wednesday, May 17 for the vote count and SB 83 & HB 151 hearings. Join us!*b. SB 83 Written Test We are thrilled to announce that Miami University's librarians will be voting on whether to form a collective bargaining unit as part of the Faculty Alliance of Miami (FAM AAUP-AFT) from May 23 to June 6! LIke all faculty, our librarians need and deserve academic freedom, genuine participation in shared governance, fair salaries, and good working conditions. Congratulations to our librarians on the terrific organizing work they have done to get this far.
Ballots will be tallied in Columbus on Monday, June 14 at 11:30am. Librarians, read about how to vote! |
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