This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
The University of Michigan Librarians, Archivists, and Curators Bargaining Unit, a subunit of the Lecturers’ Employee Organization, announced in an Instagram post Wednesday morning that they will be quitting their contract with the University after four months of bargaining over a new contract. LEO-GLAM’s 2025 bargaining platform lays out their contract goals, which include higher salaries, more flexible work schedules and more accessible workplaces. Following the initial deadline for negotiations of April 20, LEO-GLAM announced they would quit their contract and continue negotiating.
Meredith Kahn, the LEO-GLAM campus chair, wrote in a press release that the main issue left to resolve for their new contract is salary.
“Overall, negotiations with our employer have been professional and productive,” Kahn wrote. “The only item left on the table is salary. We believe we can reach an agreement soon. However, our members are willing to escalate, if necessary.”
LEO organizer Natalie McCormick wrote in the release that since LEO-GLAM has quit their contract, they would be willing and able to go on strike in 30 days if negotiations are still not completed.
“Thirty days after this announcement the union (LEO-GLAM) would no longer be in contractual violation of its ‘no strike’ clause, should the union members vote to strike,” the press release read. “Earlier this week, LEO-GLAM announced that 85% of members have pledged to strike.”
In an email to The Michigan Daily, University spokesperson Kay Jarvis wrote that the University remains committed to working toward a solution that is in the best interests of all parties involved.
“The University’s negotiators are working diligently with LEO-GLAM to resolve the remaining issues to the long-term, sustainable best interests of our librarians, archivists and curators, the Ann Arbor, Dearborn and Flint Campuses and our U-M community,” Jarvis wrote.
The Michigan Daily News Staff can be reached at news@michigandaily.com.
