Clear majority of faculty unite to support historic unionization

The Union of Tenure System Faculty (UTSF) won recognition from Michigan State University (MSU) yesterday after years of organizing and hard-fought legal battles. A recognition agreement was signed by both parties following a neutral party verification confirming that a clear majority of eligible faculty submitted authorization cards in support of union representation. This verification process was the result of negotiations between UTSF and MSU administration.

“This is a historic victory for tenure system faculty at MSU,” the UTSF Organizing Committee said in a joint statement. “For years, we have organized to secure a voice in decisions shaping the future of our institution. With formal recognition, we can now join our colleagues in other legally recognized unions at MSU to meet administration on equal footing. We can secure a legally binding contract that requires administration to work with us. We can negotiate and advocate for the ideals that make our work possible. In times like these, solidarity is our strength, and we will stand together for the future of MSU.”

The nearly 2,000 tenure system faculty at MSU initiated the unionization campaign after they felt firsthand the vulnerability of non-unionized workers when their salaries and retirement benefits were slashed during the COVID-19 pandemic. After failed unionization efforts in the 1970s and 1990s, this marks the first time MSU’s tenure system faculty have achieved collective representation.

UTSF is a local affiliate of the Michigan Education Association (MEA) and National Education Association (NEA), the largest unions in the state and country, respectively. Presidents of both organizations celebrated the historic win.

“MEA is proud to welcome MSU’s tenure-system faculty into our union,” MEA President & CEO Chandra Madafferi said. “These educators fought tirelessly to demand a seat at the table, and MEA will continue to stand with them as they negotiate their first contract. Working together with educators around the state, we can ensure every student gets the opportunities provided by a great public education, from PreK-12 through higher education.”

That commitment to stand with MSU’s tenure-system faculty is shared nationally, with education leaders highlighting how unionization protects both educators and the students they serve.

“Every worker deserves a union, and educators who work in America’s colleges and universities are no exception. Higher education faculty nationwide are facing unprecedented challenges, from budget cuts and the elimination of federal funding to political attacks on research and teaching,” NEA President Becky Pringle said. “With UTSF’s recognition, Michigan State University’s faculty know that unionization means they will be heard—and that their voices will make a difference on issues like academic freedom, faculty workload, student learning conditions, and so much more.”