KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Two employee groups at Western Michigan University will be receiving pay raises if the WMU Board of Trustees approves their labor agreements when it meets in a special session Thursday.
November 29, the negotiating teams representing the University and the 350 member Professional Instructors Organization (PIO) reached a tentative agreement that members ratified December 7. The university says the agreement is a wage-focused amendment to PIO’s existing contract with WMU, which runs through August 27, 2025. The remainder of the union’s collective bargaining agreement is unaffected.
The proposed provisions trustees will consider Thursday include single payments to current PIO members of increasing amounts for this semester, depending on the number of credit hours taught. The agreement also calls for a new salary minimum of $1,190 per credit hour to go into effect for the spring 2024 semester and a salary minimum rate of $1,265 per credit hour effective in the fall 2024 semester.
Additionally, the bonus paid to members when they first achieve “Instructor II” status would increase to $100, up from $50.
The university and the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE), a union that represents part-time stage workers for major productions at Miller Auditorium, also reached a tentative agreement. IATSE provides part-time professional stage help beyond what is covered by the University’s permanent staff at Miller. If approved Thursday, the contract would be effective through June 30, 2026.
In year one of the proposed agreement, wage increases range from $2.60 per hour to $4.02 per hour depending on the job classification. In years two and three, the proposed increase is 3% each year for each job classification.
The Board of Trustees meeting begins at 12:05 p.m. Thursday. The meeting will be livestreamed at wmich.edu/trustees.
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