After a marathon bargaining session, the Wayne State University Union of Part-Time Faculty (UPTF) and the Wayne State University administration came to a tentative agreement today.

"The UPTF appreciates the administration bargaining in good faith with us and we hope this bodes well for our future relationship," said Amanda Hiber, a part-time faculty member in the English Department at WSU and the union's Communications Committee Chair.

The first round of negotiations was heated at times, but the union held together to gain their first contract, which includes salary increases, job security provisions, and access to professional development funds.

On behalf of UPTF, Hiber thanked “all of the union’s labor-community-student allies who have and continue to stand in solidarity with our union. During our first contract campaign, in numerous ways our allies stood with us, including attending demonstrations and engaging in a nationwide letter/postcard campaign."

The UPTF was organized between May 2004 and the spring of 2007. In April 2007, part-time faculty voted by a 90 percent majority for the union. The UPTF, which represents nearly 900 adjuncts at the Michigan university, is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT).

For updates and background information: http://www.uptf.org/.