AFSCME 3357-HOF'S BLOG

Hof's Ramblings on Contract Negotiations - Part One
Michigan Teachers earn more than UAW Legal Services Attorneys

From an article in the July 5, 2003 Detroit Free Press



"The average teacher in Michigan earns $52,497 a year, more than $8,000 above the national average of $44,367, the survey shows. "

"The AFT said teacher salaries would be lower than those of white-collar peers -- such as accountants and engineers -- even if teachers worked a 12-month year. Factoring in an additional 35 days, the average teacher salary would be $52,541, the survey said. "

Lower than those of white-collar peers? In the words of Fluffy the Guinea pig, "I DON'T THINK SO!"

We at local 3357 are at a disadvantage on contract bargaining time when we negotiate in Detroit. We are always the visiting team. We're away from our work and families. The Plan's negotiators can go home to their families at night, and get their work done on breaks. It is a horrid negotiating practice and one that we were crazy to ever adopt. It would be better for us to pool our support behind the Michigan group, stay home & save money than to go up to Michigan for protracted bargaining sessions at contract renegotiation time.

This article suggests that we may be lucky to have Michigan brethren to do pattern bargaining. If the Michigan teachers bargain substantially higher than the national average, then there is potential for Michigan UAW LSP attorneys to do the same thing.

It would be interesting to use teacher contracts as a reference when setting up our contracts. Teachers start much lower than attorneys, in the 30s, but the Michigan public school teachers top out well over $60,000, with bonuses for a masters degree etc. These contracts are publicly available on the web. Very few other professionals collectively bargain.

As a second touchstone, we can use the UAW's own contracts. We need to make it clear to the UAW members that we make less than they do. Not only do we make less, but on the last contract, they received double the raise that we did. Secondly, we do not have the pension benefits or other side benefits that they do.


How about the argument: "If I can hire as many lawyers as I want for $45000, why should I pay AFSCME 3357 members $60,000." The answer is reflected in the whole nature of collective bargaining.

I can hire all the high school graduates that I want to do auto assembly for $35000 a year, why should I pay them $50,000 - because that's what the union held out for, and I agreed. Ditto teachers. Nonunion teachers make substantially less than unionized teachers. Why should unionized attorneys make the same OR less than nonunionized attorneys?

Part of the answer is that we have historically not even considered playing the strike clause. Ok, that's fine (even though UAW-represented legal services lawyers struck in New York.)

There are other alternatives - informational picketing, working without a contract, disbanding and forming a professional association. I hope to discuss these in future installments.

The Plan is likely to take a hard line at contract negotiations. It will be challenging to come out with a favorable contract. The auto industry is contracting. Healthcare costs are skyrocketing. Nevertheless, we can't give up come contract time. Each one of us has to challenge ourselves to say no to a marginal offer.