Meet Employee and Labor Relations (ELR)
At Michigan State University, the Employee and Labor Relations (ELR) team plays a vital role in supporting the university’s mission and advancing its strategic plan. Our work centers on creating thoughtful, consistent programs that foster a positive workplace culture and strengthen relationships across campus.
Through a codified labor strategy, we champion ELR initiatives that are strategic, bold, and employee-focused. Our commitment to operational excellence means we anticipate and respond to the needs of both employees and supervisors with agility, empathy, and collaboration.
What We Do:
- Proactive Support: We assist staff, supervisors, and administrators in navigating conflicts, policies, and performance concerns.
- Collective Bargaining: We negotiate agreements and resolve disputes related to contract interpretation.
- Relationship Building: We maintain strong partnerships with bargaining unit leadership representing MSU employees.
- Performance Guidance: We counsel supervisors on best practices for managing and developing their teams.
- Workplace Accommodations: We facilitate the interactive process to identify reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities.
- Case Navigation: We guide unit leaders through RVSMTIX and ADP cases involving support staff respondents.
- Unemployment Program Administration: We ensure eligible separated employees can access benefits appropriately.
- Care and Intervention Coordination: We connect employees with resources through the Care and Intervention Team (CAIT).
Our team is here to ensure that MSU remains a workplace where collaboration thrives, challenges are met with solutions, and every employee feels supported.
|
Union |
Description |
Contract Term |
ELR Representative |
Contact |
|
EXPA (UNTF) |
Extension support staff |
Negotiating first CBA |
Abbie Meredith |
|
|
POAM |
Police officers
|
Extended through |
Amy Holda and
|
|
|
SSTU |
Skilled trades |
December 23, 2022 -
|
Mary Openlander |
|
|
AFSCME 1585 |
Service and maintenance |
August 26, 2022 -
|
Wanda Parker |
|
|
IATSE 274 |
Stagehands |
November 10, 2022 -
|
Christin Smith |
|
|
IUOE 324 |
Water and power
|
February 2, 2023 -
|
Wanda Parker |
|
|
CTU |
Clerical-technical employees |
April 25, 2023 -
|
Mary Openlander |
|
|
APA (MEA/NEA) |
Administrative professional |
December 2, 2023 -
|
Christin Smith |
|
|
APSA |
Supervisory including police command |
November 18, 2023 -
|
Abbie Meredith |
|
|
CLO/JHCC Healthcare Agreement |
|
January 1, 2026 -
|
Stephanie Horton |
|
|
Non-union |
Non-union regular, temporary, and on-call support staff |
N/A |
Abbie Meredith |
