KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — On Tuesday, the Western Michigan University (WMU) Board of Trustees approved a one-year extension of the University’s contract with the faculty union.
According to the board, negotiators for WMU and leaders of WMU’s chapter of the American Association of University Professors reached a tentative agreement on specific terms of the contract Saturday, May 17.
WMU-AAUP members subsequently ratified the agreement Thursday, May 21.
The agreement states that a 2.25% salary reduction will go into effect from faculty as part of the contract. This contract would then be renewed through June 2021. Health coverage plans would not be affected.
The news of this contract draft comes after plans and pay cuts were announced by WMU earlier this month, which includes about 240 affected workers.
WMU officials said the school has already lost $45 million during the current fiscal year and could potentially lose between $45 million and $85 million during the 2020-21 school year.
The financial challenges have prompted WMU to make further cuts to their staff, along with reductions in salary.
“What we’ve already done, while substantial, will not be enough to meet our challenges. As we work to determine the precise numbers or who will be affected, we anticipate that we will layoff a substantial number of our fellow employees,” WMU President Edward Montgomery said.
Montgomery said that while the decision to eliminate staff was difficult, making the cuts earlier rather than later was necessary to plan for the fall semester.
Board members met virtually on Tuesday at 2 p.m., with the livestreamed meeting available to view at wmich.edu/trustees.
The board’s full agenda and associated documents can also be viewed at wmich.edu/trustees.
