Kalamazoo Times

The Western Michigan University Board of Trustees is set to hold a special virtual meeting at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, August 13, to consider approval of a new two-year contract with the university's chapter of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Local 1668. The agenda for the meeting and a livestream are available online.

Members of AFSCME ratified the tentative agreement with WMU administration on Monday, August 11. If approved by the trustees, the contract will take effect from August 12, 2025, through August 12, 2027. The union represents about 300 employees who provide custodial services, dining operations, landscaping, skilled trades and maintenance work, parking enforcement, and public safety locksmith duties at Western Michigan University.

Negotiations involved both parties hiring separate firms to conduct compensation market studies for each union position. The administration and union negotiators then reviewed these findings together to agree on market-based wage rates for each role for the fiscal year beginning in 2025. For the following fiscal year (2026-27), all members would receive a pay increase of 2.5%.

Besides wage adjustments, the proposed agreement also includes provisions related to health care benefits and shift premiums.

"AFSCME members ratified this tentative agreement with the WMU administration on Monday, Aug. 11. The contract will be effective from Aug. 12, 2025 through Aug. 12, 2027. The union's 300 members perform custodial services, dining operations, landscaping, skilled trades and maintenance work, parking enforcement and public safety locksmith duties."

"As part of the negotiations, WMU administration and AFSCME each engaged a firm to conduct compensation market studies for each union position. Using a collaborative approach, administration and union negotiators reviewed the results to reach an agreement on market-based wage rates for each position for the 2025-26 fiscal year. In the 2026-27 fiscal year, each member will receive a 2.5% increase."

"In addition to wages, the agreement trustees will consider Wednesday also addresses health care benefits and shift premiums."

For additional updates or information about news or events at Western Michigan University visit WMU News.