Western Michigan approves contract with teaching assistant's union

After intense negotiations this spring, Western Michigan University has approved a new contract with its teaching assistants’ union.

Members, who are graduate students who teach at Western, will get a two percent pay raise each year for the next four years. The contract also recognizes a right to use spring and fall tuition waivers for summer courses. Teaching Assistants Union President Claire Herhold says that’s a big help for grad students paying for summer sessions.

"That had in the past been an enormous financial burden for our members. And so this helps to ease that."

Negotiations became contentious at times last spring. Under the contract, TAU members will get a two percent cost of living adjustment for each of the next four years. The agreement will also save members money on tuition, by allowing them to put unused waivers from the school year toward summer classes. Jan Van Der Kley is Western Michigan University’s Vice President for Business and Finance.

"It’s always good to reach an agreement with any union."

The Teaching Assistants Union has about 500 members. The new contract with Western begins in August.