WMU Board of Trustees to meet Wednesday to consider new AFSCME contract

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—The Western Michigan University Board of Trustees will hold a special virtual meeting at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 13, to consider approving a two-year contract with WMU's chapter of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Local 1668. The meeting agenda and livestream are available online. 

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 more news, arts and events, visit WMU News