Nontenure-track faculty at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, MI have filed with the Michigan Employment Relations Commission (MERC) a representation petition and membership cards for a union representation election. The Ferris Nontenure-Track Faculty Organization (FNTFO), affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), will negotiate job security, salary increases, health insurance, and professional development issues with the university administration.

An adjunct professor for twenty-two years, Alice Bandstra, spokesperson for the FNTFO, explains that "Our goal is to have standardized policies and procedures to be used for employing adjunct faculty at Ferris State University."

Currently, nontenure-track teaching positions range from full- to part-time, some being semester by semester, others having nine month contracts, and a few have yearly or three year contracts. These positions are filled by skilled teachers with many years of experience, with degrees from masters to the doctoral, who teach at a fraction of the pay level of tenure-track colleagues and often without any or very limited benefits. Adjunct faculty members receive no health care and are allowed only one sick day per semester.

"We are looking for fair compensation and simple respect," says Tom Jorsch, instructor of history. "Whether full- or part-time, all Ferris nontenure-track faculty deserve health care, retirement, sick days, a fair wage, some measure of job security, and the respect that comes with being treated fairly.   The university and its students benefit by having more teachers committed to FSU and its educational mission, rather than the rapid turnover that accompanies temporary contracts." In his six years at Ferris Dr. Jorsch has taught fifteen different courses, advised for History Club as well as serving on the Academic Senate.

Tracy Busch Ph.D. emphasizes the valuable contributions nontenure-track faculty make to the university community.  In her four years at Ferris she has served on the Globalization Initiative Steering Committee, as faculty advisor for the Ferris Book Club, and has taught thirteen different classes in the classroom and online.

 "I need to know I have a job from year to year since I have dedicated fifteen years to Ferris in a position I love," explains Anna Rizzo, adjunct faculty in the Biology department. "I would also like to see periodic cost of living increases since I have received only one raise in the entire time I've worked here."

The union anticipates meeting with the university administration and a MERC representative in a few weeks to agree on a date for the election. "We hope to have a positive relationship with the administration since our mutual goal is to make Ferris a better place for students and faculty alike. Nontenure-track faculty continue to be a valuable resource to the university in providing quality yet cost effective instruction, and hope to be treated with the respect and the professionalism we deserve," states Janice Van Eck, adjunct faculty member since 1999.

AFT represents nearly 12,000 higher education faculty across Michigan.