Bargaining Chair's Monthly Report - February 2026
Bargaining Chairperson's Monthly Report - AFSCME Local 1583
February 21, 2026
Cassandra Millett, Bargaining Chairperson
Greetings, Brothers and Sisters
Site Visits:
President Dameron and I have visited East Quad, South Quad, and the Hospital. Additional site visits took place at Alice Lloyd and North Quad.
We also visited our members in Boyne at the Alumni Camp Site.
Contract Books:
The contract has been reviewed and approved for printing. I anticipate that it will be posted on the union website within the next week, as well as on the University page for public access.
Floating Holiday
Employees are eligible for one Floating Holiday each calendar year, which must be used within that year. Any unused Floating Holiday will not roll over to the next year, does not increase other paid time off balances, and will not be paid out if the employee leaves or moves to a role without this benefit. If an employee plans but does not take their Floating Holiday before transferring to another department, they may lose their chosen date if the new department cannot honor it; if this happens, the employee can reschedule the Floating Holiday.
- The Floating Holiday needs to be scheduled ahead of time and approved by a supervisor.
- Employees should follow their department’s usual procedure to request time off when scheduling this day.
- The Floating Holiday must be taken as a full day, using only part of the day is not permitted.
Article 25 Paid Time Off
Each department will announce any scheduling restrictions regarding time off before March 1 and September 1 each year, as well as at other times as determined by the department. These restrictions must not limit the duration of an individual employee’s time off to grant additional time off to employees with less seniority.
Employees should request their time off in March and September for any scheduled leave planned for May through October and November through April, unless a department has established a procedure that allows more frequent requests.
An employee who transfers from one department without having taken their scheduled and posted time off will forfeit their original time off preference. In these circumstances, the employee may reschedule their time off in accordance with the operational requirements of their new department.
Discipline:
Disciplinary actions and terminations associated with uniform violations have become more frequent recently. If your department has a uniform policy, make sure you follow it.
Discipline should be both corrective and progressive, not punitive. Michigan Medicine and the University (campus) will follow the discipline procedure, which is both corrective and progressive. The disciplinary process will be formally recorded as follows: verbal warning, written warning, one-day disciplinary suspension, two-day disciplinary suspension, or a written warning substituted for a disciplinary suspension (referred to as a paper DLO, applicable solely to absenteeism), with discharge as the final measure. If an employee maintains a year free disciplinary actions, supervisors will reevaluate previous steps prior to initiating further progressive discipline. Paper DLOs shall be distinctly identified and reserved exclusively for unexcused absenteeism cases. For serious violations, deviations from the standard disciplinary progression may occur.
Inappropriate Language:
Be aware of your surroundings and the people around you. Avoid sensitive subjects; personal and intimate conversations are not appropriate. The use of profanity is never acceptable. Using discriminatory or demeaning words is not appreciated by anyone. Words spoken in jest or in anger that are inappropriate can have serious consequences. If a situation becomes uncomfortable and confrontational, do not hesitate to disengage as quickly and quietly as possible. Never be afraid to step away to de-escalate the situation.
You can ask a steward about any issues affecting your work or if you think your contract is broken. Be specific when describing the violation, including what happened, where, when, and who was involved.
Chief Stewards can be contacted at the union hall on Fridays. Please feel free to contact me anytime.
My number is (734) 323-4868, email [email protected] or the union hall at (734) 480-3852.
Cassandra Millett, Bargaining Chairperson
AFSCME Local 1583