University, AFSCME reach tentative agreement

The University and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) 1583 have reached a tentative agreement on a four-year contract for some 2,200 U-M employees. Members of the union that represents service and maintenance staff on all three U-M campuses will vote on the agreement Dec. 7. On the Ann Arbor campus, AFSCME members will vote from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. at the Sports Coliseum, 721 S. 5th St. across from Elbel Field. Flint members will vote 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Hubbard break room at U-M-Flint. Dearborn members will vote from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in the U-M-Dearborn Professional Education Center, Room 1310.

AFSCME members have been working with a contract extension since July 31 while union representatives and University leaders negotiated the agreement with help from a state-appointed mediator.

"It was a very difficult negotiation but I think this final contract has good elements for the University and the employees," says Bruce Pringle, employee relations director, Human Resources and Affirmative Action.

Pringle declined to offer specific details of the contract pending the outcome of the ratification vote, but said it offers wage improvements in each of the four years.

Chief union negotiator Gregory Zelanka was unavailable for comment before the Dec. 2 Record deadline.

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