Kalamazoo Valley Community College Non-Tenured Faculty

Kalamazoo Valley Community College

Non-Tenured Faculty

Who are we?

We are a group of part-time KVCC instructors who have a combined total of over 300 years of service to the College.  We have come together out of concern that our professionalism is no longer recognized or trusted, even though part-time faculty comprise 60% or more of the College’s teaching force.  Once our union is established we will join with Western Michigan University, but with our own bargaining unit.

What is AFT Michigan?

American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Michigan is a union of 35,000 professional members who are part of the 1.3 million members of the American Federation of Teacher, AFL-CIO.  AFT is helping us organize by providing staff assistance and support and will continue to do so throughout the entire process.

          AFT represents 6,000 non-tenure-track faculty on the campuses of Eastern Michigan University (2000), University of Michigan (2003), Wayne State University (2007), Henry Ford Community College (2008), Michigan State University (2009), and Western Michigan University (2009). 

The mission of the AFT, AFL-CIO, is to improve the lives of our members and their families; to give voice to their legitimate professional, economic and social aspirations; to strengthen the institutions in which we work; to improve the quality of the services we provide; to bring together all members to assist and support one another; and to promote democracy, human rights and freedom in our union, in our nation and throughout the world.  Please visit aft.org for more information.

What’s the Non-Tenured Faculty Mission?

·       Establish a voice for part-time faculty

·       Establish an ethical working environment of mutual respect and civility

·       Become pro-active in promoting part-time faculty                 concerns

·       Incorporate part-time faculty into the college-wide mission and decision-making process

·       Seek benefits that tenured faculty and staff enjoy

What will we work for?

·       Equal pay for equal work

·       Greater job security

·       Benefits (healthcare, sick days, retirement, tuition reimbursement for dependents)

·       Clear and consistent policies, including absenteeism, pay schedules, and grievance procedures

·       Top priority for p/t faculty to fill new f/t positions

·       An evaluation process that rewards and recognizes professionals

·       Pay increases for continued service

If you have questions or concerns, please contact us at unionfever@gmail.com through your personal email address.