UM Staff Ratify First Contract
Congratulations to the members of University Staff United (USU), AFT Local 284, who ratified their first contract with the University of Michigan on Friday after nearly eight months of negotiations.
“This contract is a testament to the dedication of countless USU workers who have tirelessly and meticulously fought to build a union that seeks to improve the working conditions of staff at the University,” said Nathan Sadowky, USU President. “The University strives to be one of the leaders in higher education and we plan to hold the University accountable to also be an industry leader in how they treat their workers.”
The nearly 2,000 member Student & Instructional Services (SIS) unit represents non-student, non-supervisory staff who provide services to current or prospective students, while also facilitating access to specialized educational resources. The unit includes academic advisors, residence hall staff, childcare center teachers, admissions counselors, mental health professionals, library support staff, among others.
SIS members identified fair compensation and cross-campus parity as key priorities. The University administration fell short on meeting members’ demands, but improved its salary proposal in the final days of negotiations to close the deal. These additional monies serve to partially address this gap across campuses, and SIS members are guaranteed annual raises in all 3 years of the contract. Other highlights of the ratified contract—which will run through August 31, 2029— include AI protections, protections for remote and flexible work, and the establishment of an enforceable grievance process.
We’re thrilled to welcome USU members to AFT Michigan. In a fun historical call-back, we are welcoming back AFT Local 284, which was one of the founding locals of our state federation, formed in the 1930s to represent faculty and staff at U of M and Ann Arbor Public Schools. Great work by all the members and staff who put in many hours over the past five years to achieve this milestone!
Earn Your Union Building Institute Certificate! Sign up for AFT Michigan’s Week of Learning for Worksite Leaders! February 23-26
Are you a workplace leader looking to develop your union leadership skills? Wondering where to start when it comes to being a building representative, steward, or union member? Worksite leaders and members are invited to sign up for various virtual sessions designed to develop skills and build on existing knowledge and skills around core union capacities throughout the week of February 23rd. Sessions are designed to give worksite leaders skills and strategies they can immediately implement at their worksites.
Learn more and register today at https://aftmichigan.org/events/
Tell Lawmakers to Protect Voting Rights and Reject SAVE 2.0
Our democracy works best when all of us, regardless of color, party, income, or zip code, have an equal say in the decisions that shape our future. That’s why we must tell our senators to vote NO on the SAVE 2.0 Act, and protect our right to vote!
Right now, President Donald Trump and his allies in Congress are working to silence our voices with the SAVE America ACT and the Make Elections Great Again Act–together known as SAVE 2.0.
These bills are designed to silence peoples’ voices at the ballot box through excessive paperwork, prohibition, purges and punishments. Specific measures would:
- Abolish safe, reliable vote-by-mail systems across the country, making it harder for seniors, people with disabilities and working people to vote.
- Impose stricter photo ID requirements to cast a ballot, shutting out college students and making things more difficult for married voters who have changed their names.
- Create a centralized voter surveillance system in every state to intimidate voters.
Take action and tell your senator to vote NO on the SAVE 2.0 Act!
We Need Accountability Measures on Federal Immigration Agents
As you may know, the president and Congress agreed to a two-week deal to fund most of the government through the end of this week. The Democrats, in light of the terrible abuses of power by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security, separated out DHS as a means to negotiate a series of guardrails and accountability measures on federal immigration agents.
A partial government shutdown will happen this weekend unless Republicans work with Democrats to implement critical and necessary steps for de-escalation, transparency and accountability from DHS. Everyone wants America to be safe—and these reforms are necessary to make it so.
MI Legislature 101: Policy, Process, Power Launch Session – Feb. 17
Join MI Legislature 101: Policy, Process, Power—a free monthly learning series designed to help everyday advocates stay informed, build essential knowledge, and take effective action on the issues that matter most, including affordability, education, and healthcare.
This interactive session will walk through the basics of Michigan state government, the key players shaping this legislative session, early committee and budget priorities, and practical tools you can use to track bills and stay engaged.
If you can’t attend, you can find other ways to organize, learn, and take action here: mobilize.us/forourfuturemichigan.
AFT Book Club: A Conversation with Kamala Harris – Feb. 23 at 6pm
Join AFT President Randi Weingarten for a special AFT Book Club conversation with Kamala Harris, 49th Vice President of the United States, about her memoir, 107 Days, on Monday, Feb. 23, at 6 p.m. EST.
Together, Harris and Weingarten will discuss leadership under pressure, the role of educators, healthcare workers, public employees and higher education professionals in sustaining democracy, and Harris’s first stop as the nominee at the AFT National Convention in July 2024. The conversation will explore what those 107 days reveal about public service, collective action and the work required to strengthen our communities and our country for the fight ahead.
March 4 Day of Action to Protect Our Kids, Our Families and Our Communities
This administration is throwing chaos at people every day–from rising costs to attacks on our schools, healthcare, and public services. We have to show up and fight for what our kids, our families and our communities need.
On March 4, AFT members across the country are coming together to Protect Our Kids, Our Families and Our Communities. Join us at a #March4Communities event to stand up for opportunity, freedom, safety, and affordability, and push back against fear in schools, hospitals, and neighborhoods.
Find an event near you and join us: go.aft.org/ProtectOurCommunities
Union Baristas Urge Customers to Delete Starbucks App
Members of Starbucks Workers United (SBWU) are urging allies to delete the coffee giant’s mobile app as a way to pressure executives into bargaining a fair first contract.
Why It Matters:
Baristas have been walking picket lines around the country over ULPs since November of last year. While they’ve already reached tentative agreements on multiple areas of concerns, the corporation has not yet offered reasonable proposals on health care and wages.
“We are calling on Starbucks customers everywhere to delete the Starbucks mobile app off your phone,” said Christi Gomoljak, a SBWU member. “When baristas get a fair contract, you can reload the app on your phone and then finally, use any gift cards that you might have gotten from the holidays. But trust me, coffee with a union contract tastes so much better, and it is worth the wait.”
“Supporting our baristas as they take on one of the most powerful companies in the world…is an incredible way to make an impact,” added AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler on a solidarity call about the escalation campaign. “This fight is about something way bigger than just coffee. It’s about whether we as working people get to live with dignity in this world that we make possible.”
Oakland University Teaching & Learning Symposium – May 8
Calling all higher ed faculty: Are you looking to learn new teaching practices, enhance student learning, or sharpen your teaching skills? Oakland University’s events create an interactive and welcoming space where faculty, staff, and graduate students come together to share ideas, explore strategies, and engage in meaningful discussions. You’ll find support, a sense of belonging, and a community where you can exchange teaching practices, scholarship, and ideas.
OU’s Teaching & Learning Symposium will take place on Friday, May 8, featuring James Lang as our keynote speaker. The call for proposals is open, and they would love faculty, staff, and administrators from neighboring colleges and universities to join as presenters and attendees!
Contribute to the AFT Michigan PAC Today
AFT Michigan fights for our members, students, patients and communities all year round and we need your help. Can you donate $1 a week to aid us in this fight? Please visit the AFT Michigan website to contribute and make a big difference in protecting public education and building a better Michigan future!
Upcoming Professional Development Workshop
AFT Michigan
Trauma-Informed Care in PreK-14
Saturday, March 7, 2026
8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
via Zoom
This workshop will introduce attendees to what trauma-informed care is in the educational setting, emphasizing key inside and outside the practices that help address student trauma.
Attendees will learn practical strategies to create a safe and supportive learning environment. While also promoting emotional well-being for both educators and learners.
CARE: Community Awareness, Readiness and Education
Join this community for resources on preparedness, well-being and building supportive school environments—including guidance for those facing immigration enforcement and ICE actions.
CARE stands for Community Awareness, Readiness, and Education. This community is a space for educators, union leaders, families, and community partners to find tools, examples, and reference materials that support awareness, preparedness, and care when immigration enforcement actions or other moments of uncertainty may affect our schools and neighborhoods.
Happy Black History Month
Celebrate Black History throughout the year! Teach about Black voices, innovations and leadership with this expansive preK-12 collection. Explore stories of activism, resilience, art, music, science and civil rights—past and present. AFT ShareMyLesson has curated lessons that foster critical reflection and offer students multiple entry points into Black history.
In solidarity,
Terrence Martin
President
