The University of Michigan, after sending students to Lansing earlier this year to demand more taxpayer dollars for their institution, has given faculty and professors pay hikes averaging 4% (more than inflation).
Article here.
In a rare move of fiscal responsibility, Western Michigan University's Board of Trustees voted down a proposal thought would've forced university contractors to pay a "living wage" (a.k.a. union wage) to all employees.
The proposal required all contractors employees, which are primarily for janitorial work at WMU, be paid at least $11.50/hour, or $9.50/hour with health benefits. Additionally, the proposal required contractors to give their employees 10 paid sick days and 10 paid vacation days.
I had several jobs for contractors while I was in college. I can tell you, if my emplpyer's had been forced to meet such conditions, I wouldn't have been working. Living wage proposals are typically pushed by unions as a way to limit competition on public contracts. Union contractors have a tough time offering services at prices competitive with non-union contractors. They try to push "living wage" proposals as a way to eliminate competitors who have lower-skilled workers from the bidding process.
The board did the right thing by voting against the measure, and for the best use of taxpayer dollars. Still, they seemed to miss the point. From the Western Herald:
Even though the board turned down the proposal, they said they were very supportive of the effort and thoughtfulness behind the proposition.
"I am touched, and I think we all should be, by the students who care for and about their fellow human beings," Archer said. "That is absolutely remarkable in this day and age."
I fail to see what's compassionate about forcing wages that price out the lowest skilled entry level workers from the labor market.