The Art (and Monk-Like Patience) of Building a Better Collective Bargaining Agreement

If you've been wondering, "Where is the new CBA?" trust us, you're not alone. Over the past several months, we've received a steady stream of questions about the status of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, and we're happy to report that progress is being made. In fact, we're closer than ever.

The short answer? Creating a Collective Bargaining Agreement is a lot like renovating a house. You may start out planning to paint a room, but once the walls are open, you discover a few things that have needed attention for years. Before long, you're fixing wiring, replacing trim, and wondering who thought that original design was a good idea in the first place.

This year's negotiations have been historic in several ways. Most notably, they brought an unprecedented level of collaboration among all parties involved. Both groups committed not only to negotiating contract language, but also to improving the overall quality, consistency, and usability of the agreement itself. That kind of partnership doesn't happen overnight, and it's something we're incredibly proud of.

As a result, our work has extended beyond simply negotiating terms. We have taken the opportunity to conduct a comprehensive review of the entire CBA, addressing grammatical issues, formatting inconsistencies, duplicate language, outdated references, and other long-standing concerns that have accumulated over the years. While these corrections may not make headlines, they will make the document clearer, more professional, and easier to navigate for everyone who relies on it.

What many people don't see is the amount of review that takes place behind the scenes. Each revision generates new versions that must be carefully examined by both parties. In many cases, proposed changes also require legal review to ensure accuracy and compliance. That means a single section might be reviewed, revised, proofread, reviewed again, and then proofread one more time just to make sure a misplaced comma doesn't accidentally start a debate ten years from now.

This process began back in June, and while it has been detailed and time-consuming, we believe the extra effort will result in a significantly improved agreement. The good news is that we are now in what feels like the home stretch. Major work has been completed, final reviews are underway, and everyone involved is focused on bringing this process to a successful conclusion.

We appreciate everyone's patience throughout this journey. While we know waiting isn't always easy, the goal has always been to get it right rather than simply get it done. The result will be a stronger, cleaner, and more accurate document that better serves all stakeholders for years to come.

In the meantime, if you have any pressing questions related to the CBA, please contact Chris Freeman (cfreeman@mcadetroit.org) for assistance.

Thank you for your continued support, patience, and understanding as we put the finishing touches on this important work. Sometimes the best way to move faster in the future is to take a little extra time today. And if all goes according to plan, we may soon be able to retire a few longstanding formatting mysteries once and for all.