What is “Job Creep?”
Have you experienced job creep at UM? Even if you aren’t familiar with the term, you’ll probably recognize these patterns:
- Someone in your office or department leaves their job. To cover the gap, you’re assigned some or all of their responsibilities. It’s supposed to be temporary, but it takes six months, a year, or longer to hire a replacement – or that person is never replaced! Bonus points if you’re now doing what used to be your boss’s job.
- You’re hired to do some particular work. It’s going fine at first, but as new initiatives and demands come in, your load gradually gets heavier and heavier. How much of your time is taken up by “other duties as assigned?”
- You want to do right by students, giving each one the time and support they deserve. But as the number of students grows and the number of staff supporting them falls behind or even shrinks, it becomes more and more impossible to provide that personal attention.
Whatever is causing our workloads to creep up, it usually doesn’t come with extra pay or even a new title. In our thousands of conversations with fellow staff, there’s no other story we hear more often. And when job creep, lack of recognition, and stagnant pay push one of us out of a job, the cycle continues for those who stay behind.
But we can break the cycle of job creep and achieve a new reality at work, one in which we can excel and be recognized and compensated for it. Through our union, we can improve advancement opportunities and reduce turnover in the process; we can make hiring faster, fairer, and more efficient; we can demand fair staffing ratios as UMPNC nurses at Michigan Medicine have done, and bargain for extra pay for extra work like UM librarians, curators, and archivists in their union LEO-GLAM. Imagine that!
We can only do it together. If we don’t stand up for ourselves and for our less-fortunate colleagues, nothing will change. So sign your union card now, and talk with your coworkers about signing theirs by April 7. Let’s get moving!
Tell us your Flexible Work Experience
Flexible and remote work have been a reality for many staff for years now. If that applies to your job, drop us a note at info@universitystaffunited.org and let us know how it’s going. How does remote, hybrid, or flexible work affect your life, how has it changed over the past few years, and what do you hear may change in the future? Share your experience and we’ll report back in a future issue.
It’s Safe to Sign!
Did you know that signing your union card is confidential? Your name and signature will be stored in a database only the union organizers can access. When we file for recognition, a neutral third party will verify employees’ signed cards; the University does not receive the list.
Once we have won our first contract and begun receiving all the benefits we’ve earned, University payroll will see that you are a member – this is when dues will begin to be withdrawn. Of course, we’ll only reach this point once a majority of staff in our group sign up, so you’ll be in good company.
Staff Voices
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Tell Your Story
One of the best ways to help others feel at ease in joining the union effort is to share your story about why you support USU. Please fill out this form or contact us to set up an interview.
Upcoming Events
Solidarity Rally – March 9th at 1pm
Join us in the Diag on Saturday, 3/9, for the Multi Union Solidarity Rally. Let’s show the university that we will always stand with workers!
Paint the Rock w/ USU – March 10th at 1pm
Gather with fellow staff at UM to join in a fun University of Michigan tradition – painting the rock! Join us on Sunday March 10th at 1pm to paint the rock in USU colors. RSVP here.
AFT Michigan International Workers Caucus
AFT-Michigan invites you to join fellow international workers to discuss challenges of being a visa holder in the workplace. Join us and build a space for community, conversation, and action around immigration issues for international workers. USU members & potential members are eligible to attend! We will hold monthly meetings on the 2nd Monday of each month. Our next meeting is Monday, March 11th at 5pm EST. RSVP here
Save the Date: LEO Open Bargaining in Flint 3/15/24
Join union siblings of all types to observe union bargaining with management. Learn what a union can fight for and how we win! Review the LEO Lecturer Bargaining Platform Summary in advance. More information will be available in our next newsletter – including social events for USU members after open bargaining.
RSVP for LEO Open Bargaining here and sign up for USU carpooling here.
Info Sessions & Drop-In Hours
Virtual Session
Every Thursday at 6:30pm
Contact us to ask for meeting info
Weekly Drop-in – Lunch Hour
Wednesdays 12-1pm
Contact us to ask for meeting info
Weekly Drop-in – After Hours
Tuesdays 6:30-7:30pm
Contact us to ask for meeting info