Oakland University faculty out on strike; students told to check if classes are in session

David Jesse
Detroit Free Press

Oakland University's faculty have gone on strike, but the first day of classes Thursday went on as scheduled.

The 880-member faculty union's contract expired Wednesday night. At issue are pay and benefits, the union said. Talks between the two sides were scheduled to continue with a mediator.

Ariel Pierce, 31 and a psychology and philosophy major, skipped class on September 2, 2021, to join and show support for the many professors at Oakland University in Rochester. From tenured to special lecturers, professors stood out in shifts to call attention to the union's contract that expired on Wednesday night. 
The professors want better pay and benefits.

"The job action, which was overwhelmingly supported by faculty, comes after months of intensive negotiations failed to produce a new contract before the start of the new term," the union said in an early morning statement. "Faculty negotiators were seeking cost of living increases and compensation for professors who earned exemplary performance scores from administration for teaching and research in the pandemic year."

Union President Karen Miller said the university needs to treat its faculty fairly.

"Oakland is using the pandemic as a pretext to cut faculty compensation and exert control over academic programs," she said in a media release. "The university has received state and federal assistance during the pandemic. There is no longer a financial emergency, administrative pay has been restored to pre-pandemic levels and there have been new hires at the upper levels of management. The money is there to fairly compensate faculty.”

Annette Feravich, 56 of Commerce Township, waves at passing cars honking their support for her and other professors at Oakland University in Rochester on September 2, 2021. From tenured to special lecturers they stood out in shifts to call attention to the union's contract that expired on Wednesday night. The professors want better pay and benefits.

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Thursday was the first day of classes for the 2021-22 school year.

"The University hopes to resolve remaining contract issues as soon as possible and with minimal disruption to fall classes, which will not be canceled," the university said in an email to students. "Students are advised to report to classes as scheduled and wait at least 15 minutes to determine whether their instructor will be teaching. Students may also contact their instructors in advance to determine whether classes will be taking place. Students will be responsible for all course content and assignments delivered during and subsequent to the negotiation period.

Professors at Oakland University in Rochester stood at Squirrel Road and University with signs in front of the school on September 2, 2021. From tenured to special lecturers they stood out in shifts to call attention to the union's contract that expired on Wednesday night. 
The professors want better pay and benefits.

"While contract talks continue, all university classes, support services, extracurricular activities and other operations will continue on their normal schedules.

"The university regrets that this faculty union strike is taking place, particularly given that public sector strikes are illegal under Michigan law. The university’s negotiating team urges faculty to teach and requests that non-faculty employees urge faculty to do the same."

Contact David Jesse: 313-222-8851 or djesse@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter: @reporterdavidj. Subscribe to the Detroit Free Press.