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Three-year deal with power plant employees approved

Oct. 16, 2007

KALAMAZOO--Western Michigan University's Board of Trustees approved a three-year labor contract with the University's power plant employees at the board's Oct. 12 meeting.

A tentative agreement was reached by WMU administration and the Michigan State Employees Association on Sept. 10 and backed by MSEA members Sept. 13. The parties agreed to a 1 percent across-the-board pay increase for all plant employees in each year of the contract, which is retroactive to July 1, 2007.

The new contract also brings MSEA employees under the same health care plan as other University employees. It provides them with the same sick and bereavement leave usage and buy-back benefits as the University's custodial, dining services, grounds and maintenance employees, who are represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

WMU has been working with MSEA for several years. The association represents the 15 employees responsible for the operation and maintenance of the WMU Power Plant, which is capable of generating all of the University's steam needs as well as most of its electric needs.

Media contact: Tonya Hernandez, (269) 387-8400, tonya.hernandez@wmich.edu

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