Academic Labor Relations & Collective Bargaining at KU
All faculty and academic staff, with limited exceptions, are represented by United Academics of KU (UAKU). In the collective bargaining process, the University and UAKU are required to negotiate the terms and conditions of employment for the bargaining unit.
On April 20, 2026, the first Collective Bargaining agreement between the University of Kansas and the United Academics of KU (UAKU) was ratified and recognized by the Kansas Board of Regents. Per the terms of the agreement, both parties meet and confer on contract terms regularly.
The Office of Faculty Affairs provides strategic oversight and responsibility for ensuring academic labor relations align with institutional goals and support faculty success. We provide campus education and training about academic labor relations, track contract-related policy and revisions, ensure alignment of faculty-related processes with the contract, and maintain productive relationships with union representatives.
This page provides updates and resources related to the collective bargaining agreement for faculty and staff.
Policy Alignment Support
Policy Alignment Resources
The Policy Alignment Resources page offers resources for those working on policy revision, including policy submission steps, a suggested policy timeline, guidance documents, checklists, and templates for revising policy to align with the collective bargaining contract.
Additional OFA Policy Resources
Additional resources, including university guidance on faculty-related policy and resources from KU's Policy Administration Office.
Overview and Timeline
Spring 2024
Union vote and recognition
- Of the 1,551 eligible KU faculty, 982 cast ballots, of which 850 voted to unionize and be represented by United Academics of Kansas University (UAKU).
Early Fall 2024
Interim agreement
- In August 2024, a Memorandum of Understanding was approved by the Kansas Board of Regents for Lawrence and Edwards faculty and academic staff, for FY 25 wage increases.
- On August 16, the Office of the Provost notified KU employees of the MOU, outlining the details of the promotion wage adjustments.
Fall 2024 through Spring 2026
Negotiation sessions + KU and UAKU agreement
- 60 negotiation sessions between UAKU and KU Administration have led to a tentative agreement on all 37 articles of the collective bargaining agreement on March 5, 2026.
- On April 20, 2026, the first Collective Bargaining Agreement between the University of Kansas and the United Academics of KU (UAKU) was ratified and recognized by the Kansas Board of Regents. The agreement is effective from April 15, 2026, through April 15, 2029.
Ongoing discussions
Ongoing discussions continue on specific topics: director title and intellectual property. Bargaining on compensation has been reopened for calendar years 2027 and 2028 per Article 20 of the agreement. Once agreements have been on these topics, they will be added to the Collective Bargaining Communications and Documentation page.
Collective Bargaining Quick Links
Upcoming Collective Bargaining Workshops
