If ever there was an argument for Right To  Work, it is being made somewhere near the middle of the state.

If I had to guess, I would bet there are instructors at CMU that aren't real comfortable participating in an illegal strike.  Imagine how a young instructor, who feels fortunate enough to have found employment in Michigan, must feel when told by his/her bosses, (the union) that he/she cannot go to work.

Rock? Meet hard place.

"Following several rounds of unsuccessful contract talks, the Central Michigan University faculty union said it would strike on the first day of classes today, affecting more than 21,000 students."

In the end, this could actually be an opportunity. But first let us consider the negatives for some.

The thought of being fired for breaking the law, and possibly losing bennies and an income that most in the private sector would love to have, ought to give pause to such reckless actions.  Incomes listed below are as of 2010, and do not include other income such as per diem, paid training, and other benefits.  What has to be tough, is for those instructors who already get paid considerably less than their professorial counterparts, and must also participate or face ongoing vitriolic response from those who would work to see them removed in the future.

The CMU board of trustees has a tough job to be sure. From the CMU Board of Trustees page:

"... the board retains ultimate responsibility for academic matters and reserves authority over such areas as the mission and goals of the institution; admissions and retention policies; policies governing intercollegiate programs; faculty promotions, sabbatical leaves and tenure; establishing fees; accepting gifts; naming facilities; and a number of other areas."

The offer by the university?  It apparently was a 0% increase in pay.  After bargaining with the union for the fluff, it (0 percent) was probably all that was left. I would have to imagine that in order to ensure such things as solvency, those decisions are somewhat necessary.