The University met with the faculty bargaining committee on September 12, 2023, to continue negotiations for an initial collective bargaining agreement with the faculty union. Prior to the session, on September 6, 2023, the University provided a draft Memorandum of Understanding to the Union addressing the continuation of activities for the Awards and Recognition Committee, Committee for the Center for Teaching Excellence, Faculty Research Committee, Institutional Review Board, Institutional Biosafety Committee, and Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, as well as departmental and divisional committees that perform equivalent functions. As such, at the start of the session, the parties reviewed the MOU provided by the University and, with minimal revision, reached agreement on the language of the MOU.
The parties also discussed the Faculty Rights and Responsibilities Committee, Promotion and Tenure Committee, and Fiscal Priorities Committee. The University informed the Union that the functions of these committees would continue to operate as set forth in the Administration's notification to faculty on August 11, 2023. Additionally, consistent with that communication, the activities of the Faculty Welfare Committee, Benefits Committee, and All-University Committee for the Evaluation of Administrators will remain paused.
At the close of the August 30, 2023 bargaining session, the Union's bargaining committee presented the University with a Memorandum of Understanding related to recognizing the librarians and faculty bargaining unit members as one unit. The University responded to the MOU at the September 12, 2023 bargaining session by stating, consistent with the Order and Opinion of the State Employment Relations Board, that the University intends to engage in good faith negotiations regarding the terms and conditions of the librarians and faculty separately.
The parties also reviewed the Union’s proposed Memorandum of Understanding for a 2% wage increase for faculty and librarian bargaining unit members. The University’s bargaining committee discussed its position with the faculty union that it preferred to review the proposed MOU in connection with the Union’s larger economic proposal. As the parties are just beginning to discuss the articles to potentially be included in the collective bargaining agreement, the University expects additional discussion on this issue.
The remainder of the bargaining session was focused on discussing topics to be included in the initial faculty collective bargaining agreement. The Union's bargaining committee presented a proposal on Academic Freedom. The University presented proposals on Purpose, Recognition, Separability, Labor-Management Meetings, and No Strike/No Lockout. The proposals submitted by the University’s bargaining committee are common provisions found in collective bargaining agreements and are intended to begin outlining the structure of the parties' contract. Read the University's proposals.
The parties have scheduled upcoming bargaining sessions for September 26, October 18, October 25, November 1, and November 15, 2023.
