NMU AAUP NEWS | Northern Michigan University AAUP AFT Local 6761

National AAUP Endorses It's First Political Candidate

The American Association of University Professors (AAUP) has issued its first-ever national electoral endorsement in the organization's 110-year history. This decision was not made lightly. In what the organization describes as an unprecedented political moment, the AAUP is calling for a fundamental shift in how the nation values and supports higher education and academic institutions.

The national AAUP has endorsed Dr. Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan's Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate. According to AAUP President Todd Wolfson, this is the first time the national organization has made an electoral endorsement. AFT-Michigan has also formally endorsed Dr. Abdul El-Sayed.

Board of Trustees votes to ratify our most recent TA

Our Tentative Agreement has been ratified by both our union (15 May 2026) and the Board of Trustees (16:00 on 01 June 2026: https://www.google.com/url?q=https://nmuwildcast.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id%3D296bdddd-d987-45fc-baa5-b4560134b98b&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1780253163316188&usg=AOvVaw2I_5ocG45GPhWzPiX01dC4 || https://nmu.edu/boardbook/2026/June_1/agenda.htm )

In case you missed it, details of our TA are here: https://nmuaaupaft6761.mi.aft.org/nmu-aaup-news/tentative-agreement-has-been-achieved-06-may-2026

As soon as we have the finalized agreement and it is signed, we will post it to our website and likely send out an announcement to that everyone knows it is up.

Ratification vote result 15 May 2026

Good afternoon,

Our balloting committee has reviewed and validated the results.
Ratification Election 2, May 2026
Yes, I support the ratification: 127 votes (67.6%)
No, I do NOT support the ratification: 56 votes (29.8%)
(5 individuals abstained) (2.7%)

A total of 188 members voted (of 362 eligible)

Brief presentation comparing promotion formula to ATB raises

Our data analyst gives us a look at the difference between having a large promotion formula and low ATB/annual increases as compared to a smaller promotion formula and larger ATB/annual increases.

Update on TA 2 (voting closes 2PM on Friday 15 May 2026)

In addition to a recent post with the full text of updates, included here is a nice video overview relating to what has changed between the last TA (that failed) and our current one.

https://youtu.be/d2bY63TJhyQ

Tentative Agreement has been achieved - 06 May 2026

After our last TA was voted down, our team went back to the table with administration and were able to secure some additional gains. More is in the main body of this post.

Summary of proposed changes to our Collective Bargaining Agreement, if ratified effective 01 July 2026

Article I (TAs dated 3.17.26; 4.3.26; 4.16.26):

1.1.10 Overload definition updated (TA 3.17.26)
1.1.13 New definition introduces the Labor Management Committee for resolving issues between the Association (AAUP) and the administration. Two members are appointed by PVPAA and two by the Association president. (TA 4.16.26)
1.7.6 Dues payroll deduction form is removed from the MA and will be available on the AAUP website.

Article Number III (TAs dated 3.17.26; 3.20.26; 3.31.26; 4.7.26):

3.1.1.3.4

How senior administration and NMU-AAUP compare to our peer institutions

Our Board of Trustees must think we are significantly above average, as our senior administrators have compa-ratios far above our peer institutions (117 to 143%)!; although our faculty are only in a normal average range of 103 to 109% of the median (3 to 9% above the median). Hmmm. Which is it, are we excellent or just average?

[100% Credit to Steven A Edelson for this educational short!]