APA Reaches a Successor Contract Through September 30, 2023

On Tuesday, September 24, 2019, contract negotiations concluded when the APA reached a tentative agreement with the administration of Michigan State University for a successor APA contract, valid through September 30, 2023. As with most collective bargaining, neither management nor labor obtained everything sought at the commencement of negotiations. 

In the foreground above, Rick Fanning, Director of Employee Relations (left) and Maury Koffman, APA President (right) conclude contract negotiations having reached a tentative agreement.

Responding to the information and data obtained from APA 2019 bargaining membership survey (https://www.surveymonkey.com/results/SM-2RGZ72KD7/) and input provided through member engagement events, emails, and phone calls, the APA Bargaining Team entered negotiations with proposals on nearly 30 different contractual items. 

A brief recap is as follows:

The APA was successful in fighting off University proposals on topics such as:

• Increasing merit pay to 100% of your annual base wage increase which could prevent members from receiving any base wage increase any year at the exclusive discretion of your immediate supervisor/department
• Restrictions on use of personal time
• Limitations on use of vacation and the ability for management to rescind previously approved vacation time
• Eligibility requirements for annual wage increases that would also reduce employee job security rights
• Removal of mandatory wage increases when accepting higher grade level positions
• Physical reporting requirement to be eligible for call-in pay

The APA is proud to have negotiated:

• A paid parental leave program with a gradual roll-in of four (4) weeks as of January 1, 2021, five (5) weeks as of January 1, 2022, and six (6) weeks as of January 1, 2023. The benefit will provide 100% pay and benefits covering childbirth, a spouse, and/or the adoption of a child not already part of the household.
• Added language to explore additional discussions on improved and enhanced dental coverage
• Added new language that guarantees a minimum of $500 lump sum bonus in any month an APA member temporarily fills a vacancy as an acting or interim role for 15 or more days
• Expanded recognition of the APA statewide, and job security rights for APs in Grand Rapids, wherever 3 or more APs are working for a main campus department
• Additional release time for the union to meet with, assist, advise, and represent APA members in worksite issues
• Enhanced job security rights for off-date employees when the position is not renewed
• Changes to the APA layoff bypass process that includes greater notice and guarantees to interviews for positions regardless of grade level
• $100 additional professional development funds each year to support member professional growth
• Maintained current 40% across the board and 60% merit pay process for annual base wage increases unless the total base wage increase is 1% or less in which case the annual base wage increase will be applied 100% across the board
• Clarified members rights to access and review materials in their official personnel record
• Expanded members rights to take a leave of absence without pay for time spent with immediate family members on a military leave
• Ensure individuals regularly scheduled to work more than 8 hour shifts are entitled to use the equivalent time off as their regular schedule (versus a maximum of 8 hours)
• Improved bereavement to permit an individual to use time off within 6 months of the death
• Added language to encourage greater focus on campus diversity and inclusion

Additionally, your APA Bargaining Team pursued key issues members brought to attention: 

• Improved dental coverage
• Additional paid time off including recognized holidays, vacation time, personal days, and campus closure between Christmas and New Years
• Objective criteria to determine the merit portion of the annual APA base wage increase 
• Parking rate equity for members working at non-main campus sites 

After notice of the tentative agreement was provided to the APA membership, information sessions were held on campus in East Lansing, as well as at the campuses in Grand Rapids and Flint. Members who attended delved into the issues and had productive dialogue. 

Balloting for the 2019 – 2023 APA Tentative Agreement ratification concluded on October 21, 2019, at 4pm. 

In total, 675 members cast a ballot. 647 (96%) votes were cast in support of ratification and 28 (4%) votes were cast in opposition. Therefore, the contract was officially ratified by the APA membership. As soon as possible, the ratified contract will be printed and copies made available to APA members. Additionally, an electronic version will be posted on the APA website. 

The APA greatly appreciates the comments that were provided leading into and during negotiations as well as membership questions and engagement around the tentative agreement ratification. For further information or to ask questions, please contact the APA at [email protected] or at 517.999.4004.