It has been a busy year for us all. Before we leave it behind for the summer, we wanted to capture the work that the Union has done on your behalf throughout the year. This list, while not all-inclusive, is a good representation of the work that your Union representatives have been doing throughout the 2025-2026 academic year.
Implemented our new contract
- Added 10+ new members to our union
- Onboarded new stewards/grown Stewards council–representation from all but SOM
- Created a grievance infrastructure–and have been using it
- Represented bargaining unit members in grievances/informal grievances conversations on issues–8-10 (including investigatory hearings)
- Key wins; merit pay grievance, three other merit grievances in process, ensured that professional funds can be used as widely as possible,
- Held two major special conferences and college-level special conferences on policies
- Accessibility–secured clarifications and commitments on accessibility, specifically how it will be measured and enforced as well as labor concerns
- Flex–Had a frank discussion of Flex modality and concerns about it, more discussions to be had
- Secured the posting of guidelines for when ICE and other law enforcement agencies come on campus
Worked with other unions and organizations on collective projects
- Active in AFT and AFT-Michigan ongoing work, including AFT-MI convention
- Work on AFT-Move Grant, including GOTV event in Saginaw with partner orgs
- Work on AFT-MI capacity grant–ran an ongoing joint density campaign with USU and LEO that has resulted in gains for all unions involved
- Support for Higher Education Labor United (HELU)–joined as an organization and are active members, also helped co-organize HELU Michigan Senate Forum in the fall
- Participated in the All Campus Labor Council
- Joined the Greater Flint Labor Council
- Informed the endorsement decision and participated in Michigan Democratic Party convention
- Issued letter for graduate student bargaining unit member GEO who was placed in ICE detention
- Issued a letter during USU bargaining in support of their efforts and rallied with them outside of the regents meeting
- Picketed with new RA union for recognition
- Picketed with nurses in Grand Blanc (Teamsters 332)
Member outreach/education
- Held Know Your Contract Events in Fall 2025
- Hosted Regents candidates in Winter 2026
- Maintained monthly newsletter to members
- Designed t-shirts (they’re coming this fall!)
- Hosted a fall social and upcoming spring social (May 19)
