Kurt Graham

Kurt has served as the Director of Staff Labor Relations at Western Michigan University since September 2017.  Kurt has responsibility for negotiating and administering the labor contracts for the University’s AFSCME, MSEA, POA, and IATSE bargaining units. 

Previously, Kurt worked as a labor and employment attorney in Grand Rapids, Michigan representing public and private sector employers in labor relations matters such as negotiation and administration of collective bargaining agreements, grievance arbitrations, union organizing campaigns and elections, and unfair labor practice charges. Kurt also appeared before numerous administrative agencies including the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Michigan Department of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Labor, National Labor Relations Board, Michigan Employee Relations Commission, Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency, and Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth – Wage Hour Division

Kurt has appeared as a commentator in Michigan Lawyers Weekly, was a Chapter Editor of The Developing Labor Law, and a past Contributor to How Arbitration Works and the State Bar of Michigan – Labor and Employment Law Section Lawnotes Newsletter. Additionally, Kurt is also a past chairperson of the Grand Rapids Bar Association – Labor and Employment Law Section.