Oakland University Campus Community Update

You may have seen an article regarding ongoing negotiations between Oakland University and the Oakland University Campus Maintenance and Trades (OUCMT) union. The University wanted to provide an update regarding this important work.

The University would like to first acknowledge all the important work that the OUCMT members perform, and especially thank the OUCMT employees who worked diligently during the high temperature hot water modified operations. Your dedication to keeping campus functioning during these and other weather-related conditions is appreciated.

The University has been working to reach an agreement with the OUCMT group since August 2025.  The labor agreement between the University and OUCMT expired on October 31, 2025.  The parties met and negotiated for 11 sessions prior to the University asking for the assistance of a State Mediator in November 2025, with the hope that a third party mediator may help the parties reach an agreement. 

As of March 31, 2026, the parties have had 14 negotiation sessions with the Mediator and additional dates have been proposed. While OUCMT has had less availability to meet and negotiate, the University bargaining team has agreed to most dates and offered to negotiate virtually on days when weather has caused cancellations.

The University’s proposals are consistent with agreements reached with other non-faculty bargaining units on campus, and in some respects, exceeded what the University has agreed to with those groups.

The University is managing many competing needs at a time of limited resources due to very tight State budget appropriations; enrollment volume challenges due to the shrinking Michigan high school population; and headwinds caused by Federal policies. 

The University will continue to work within the process to seek common ground with the OUCMT.