The University and the Union met on April 17, 2024, to continue collective bargaining negotiations for the first faculty contract. The Union presented counter proposals on Health, Safety and Security, Union Access to Information and Facilities, Discipline and Discharge, and Appointment and Promotion of Tenure-Track and Tenured Faculty.

The University presented comprehensive counter proposals on Compensation and Benefits, which were responsive to many of the Union's economic proposals. The University also presented counter proposals on Health, Safety and Security, Union Access to Information and Facilities, and Faculty Evaluations.

Additionally, the parties discussed the recent activities of the University's Artificial Intelligence Task Force, including the Union’s recent request that the University cease and desist all activities of the AI Task Force. The Union bargaining committee asked a series of questions related to the purpose of the AI Task Force and reiterated its interest in including provisions on Artificial Intelligence in the collective bargaining agreement. The University previously rejected the Union's Oct. 25, 2023, proposal on Intellectual Property, Copyright and AI as the provisions included in the Union’s proposal are not mandatory subjects of bargaining. During the session, the University explained that the recent survey sent out by the AI Task Force was focused on University employees' current use of AI tools, and does not directly impact terms and conditions of bargaining unit faculty members employment with the University. Moreover, there is nothing to suggest that the AI survey alone would interfere with or restrain the rights of bargaining unit members.

The parties are scheduled to meet next on April 26, 2024.

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