Staff represented by Oakland University Custodial Maintenance Trades (OUCMT) are demanding a contract that reflects the real value of staff work.
Workloads have increased. Campus square footage has expanded. Inflation has reduced the real value of wages.
Yet staff compensation continues to fall behind.
Oakland University has chosen to prioritize buildings, expansion, and other initiatives while failing to adequately invest in the staff required to support and maintain that growth. The result is burnout, declining retention, and the loss of experienced employees—problems that are already affecting campus operations.
Staff are essential to the University’s success. Continuing to underpay staff while expecting more work is not sustainable and undermines the institution’s long-term stability.
OUMCT members remain committed to Oakland University. That commitment must be met with meaningful investment in staff, not continued delays or inadequate proposals.
We are calling on Oakland University to return to the bargaining table with a contract that:
Accounts for inflation
Reflects expanded workloads and campus growth
Provides fair, competitive compensation
Supports retention and stability
Fair pay is not optional.