LOA-MSU-274-6-9-2020 - Memorandum of Understanding - unpaid furlough and COVID-19 response terms

Sep 15, 2026

Memorandum of Understanding sets an agreed addition to the Collective Bargaining Agreement between Michigan State University and Local 274 IATSE regarding emergency COVID-19 response measures. It authorizes temporary unpaid furloughs for up to six months beginning on or after May 20, 2020, establishes eligibility and selection priorities, requires seven-calendar-days notice with specific information, and limits replacement of furloughed employees by temporary agency staff or students. It also defines benefit continuation and related wage-factor calculation treatment.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLetters

FormatPDF

Pages6

Reading Time2 min

AccessFree to download

Unpaid furlough authority and duration

Employee selection criteria and priorities

Notice requirements and furlough scheduling

Restrictions on replacements and student use

Layoff notice conversion

Benefits continuation and eligibility

Health care cost and base wage factor calculation

MICHIGARN STATE Memorandum of UnderstandingBetweenMichigan State University,AndLocal 274 IATSE WHEREAS,the parties acknowledge and agree that neither Michigan State University(hereinafter"the University"or "the Employer")nor the Local 274IATSE(hereinafter “theUnion")is under any obligation to engage in mid-contract term negotiations ordiscussions but at the request of the University,the Union voluntarily agreed toundertake such discussions; WHEREAS,the parties acknowledge and agree that the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemichealth and economic conditions constitute unforeseen circumstances requiringemergency response; WHEREAS,the parties have worked to come to an understanding in the best interests ofthe University and its employees; NOW THEREFORE,as a result of discussions between the Parties,the following is herebyagreed as an addition to the Collective Bargaining Agreement between Michigan StateUniversity and the Local 274 IATSE("the Union").The Union and the University agree thisMemorandum of Understanding is part of the parties'collective response to thecoronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic and will not set precedent in any other matter. 1.The University may temporarily place any regular employee on an unpaidfurlough for up to six(6)months commencing on or after May 20,2020.Allunpaid furloughs under this Memorandum of Understanding must end as ofDecember 31,2020.April 1,2020 shall be used to the define a regularemployee's unit,and classification for the purpose of this Memorandum ofUnderstanding. Human Resources a.The University may select regular employees to be placed on furloughbased on operational needs,including financial exigency or lack ofwork which is expected to be temporary,which are caused by,orrelated to,the coronavirus/COVID-19 health crisis as follows: mployee Relations Michigan State University Nisbet Building 1407 S.Harrison,Suite 240 East Lansing,MI b.The University shall honor regular employee requests to volunteer tobe placed on an unpaid furlough unless operations do not allow forthat regular employee to be placed on an unpaid furlough.In such acase,the University shall provide a written statement of the reasonsfor its decision to the regular employee and the Union. 48823-5239 517-353-5510 Fax:517-353-3523 www.hr.msu.edu c.The selection of regular employees to be placed on unpaid furloughstatus shall be based on those regular employees: i.within a unit(as defined in paragraph 118 of the AdministrativeProfessional Association's 2019 to 2023 Collective BargainingAgreement)and ii.within the effected classification. d.Where capability to perform the work remaining is equal,theEmployer will follow these priorities within a unit(as defined inparagraph 118 of the Administrative Professional Association's 2019to 2023 Collective Bargaining Agreement)and within the effectedclassification that is affected by unpaid furloughs: i.Regular employees with short service before regularemployees with long service. e.The University may not select a regular employee for unpaid furloughfor reasons that would constitute discrimination against any protectedclassification recognized by law or University policy,including thosewho have engaged in concerted protected activity under Michigan'sPublic Employment Relations Act. f.The University shall provide seven(7)calendar days'notice beforeplacing any regular employee on an unpaid furlough.Such notice shallinclude reason for the furlough,effective date of the furlough,benefitsreceived during the furlough,the anticipated date the regularemployee is to return from the furlough (if known),a contact personregarding the furlough and the return along with information on howto obtain unemployment.This notice may be provided electronically,and the information may be provided through a link or other referenceto information available on the internet.A copy of the notices shallsimultaneously be provided to the Union via email. g.Unpaid furloughs shall

FAQs

What is the maximum duration of unpaid furloughs under this Memorandum of Understanding?

Unpaid furloughs may last up to six months, and all unpaid furloughs must end by December 31, 2020.

How does the University select which regular employees can be placed on unpaid furlough?

Selection is based on operational needs tied to the coronavirus/COVID-19 crisis, including financial exigency or lack of work expected to be temporary, and it is constrained to the affected unit and classification.

What notice must the University provide before placing an employee on unpaid furlough?

The University must provide seven calendar days’ notice, including the reason, effective date, benefits received, anticipated return date if known, a contact person, and information on how to obtain unemployment; a copy must be emailed to the Union simultaneously.

Sep 15, 2026

Upload by Bill Black