Bargaining Update Feb. 21, 2024
The University and Union bargaining committees met on Feb. 21, 2024, to continue negotiations for an initial faculty contract.
The University met with the faculty union for collective bargaining negotiations on Feb. 21, 2024. The Union continued with its presentation of its economic package, which included new proposals on Reimbursement for Travel Mileage, Parking and Tolls, Mandatory Furloughs, Salary Adjustment Studies, Pay Schedules, and Other Leaves. While the union has presented 15 benefits proposals and 16 economic proposals since December 2023, the Union has indicated that it has not yet presented its full economic package. The University affirmed its position to wait to respond to these proposals until after the Union has completed their full presentation of economic proposals. The union also presented new proposals on Primary Campus Assignment and Offsite Work and Maintenance of Policies and Practices.
Additionally, the Union presented new proposals on Employment of Members of the Same Family and Emeritus / Emerita Faculty, which the University rejected because, as drafted, the policies would have applied to employees outside of the bargaining unit. At the end of the session, the Union responded with a revised Emeritus / Emerita Faculty proposal seeking to address the concerns raised by the University. During its discussion of outstanding proposals, the University informed the Union that it was rejecting the Union’s Academic Freedom counter proposal and holding to its January 17, 2024 counter proposal on this subject.
In addition to these new proposals, the Union also presented a counter proposal on Parking and Commuting, which the University rejected, holding to its January 31, 2024 counter proposal. The Union rejected the University's September 8, 2023 No Strike/No Lockout proposal without presenting a counter proposal.
The Union and the University also exchanged counter proposals regarding Dues Deduction and Separability, each presenting the counter proposals as a package (Union’s counter proposal on Dues Deduction and Separability; and the University’s counter proposal on Dues Deduction and Separability).
The parties will meet next on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024.