January 23 bargaining session recap

We met with the the Administration Negotiating Team (ANT) on Monday, January 23, and had a very collegial and productive session. I wanted to send a brief description of what we talked about, preceded by an overview of the process for those of you (like us) who are new to the bargaining process. I will be posting these updates as often as I can and at least once a month until we have our first contract.

Process – First, this is a long process and there is a learning curve, of course.. As we described in the Fall, AAUP members volunteered and were placed on a variety of Research Committees and the Negotiating Team (NT). We received training from the AAUP and then set about preparing for contract negotiations. The Bargaining Caucus (comprised of the research teams, the negotiating team, and the executive board) has met on a few occasions and plans to meet regularly this semester until all of our proposals are drafted.

 

Report – Our NT and the ANT met last month to devise some ground rules for the negotiations. Monday, we met for the first time to begin contract negotiations. After each side made an opening statement of sorts, we began by discussing their proposals. They had brought some proposals that addressed issues we are also working on. In those cases, both teams asked clarifying questions and questions that tried to get at the intention behind the language and noted some areas in each others’ proposals that they would like to change. In a couple of cases, we did actually sign Tentative Agreements on minor articles and will likely sign more TAs on minor articles after a little more investigation. Below is a list of topics from the session:

  • Article Recognition (both groups brought versions) This is relatively standard article that begins each contract by identifying who is (and is not) part of the bargaining unit.
    Status Both sides are checking into the specific titles to make sure all unit members are included.
  • Article  Definitions (ANT) This is another relatively standard article that simply sets forth definitions of terms/groups/etc. that will be referenced in the contract.
    Status We will continue to add to the article throughout the process but we had no objections to any of the definitions they suggested.  
  • Article  Management Rights (ANT)
    Status  We had some concerns about some of the language and will bring them a counter-proposal at our February 9 meeting.
  • Article  Union Rights (AAUP)
    Status  They had some concerns about some of the language and will bring us a counter-proposal at the next meeting.
  • Article Academic Freedom (both groups brought versions)
    Status  They brought a proposal but we argued our version was more appropriate. They had a few concerns that ours went further/was more specific  than the AAUP but will bring a counter-proposal seeks to compromise.
  • Article Non-Discrimination (ANT)
    Status   Tentative Agreement was signed.
  • Article  Grievance and Arbitration Procedures (ANT)
    Status   We informed them that we are working our own proposals that will encompass this area but we asked questions about some of the language they used and the process as they envisioned it. We will bring our own (counter) proposal to a future session.
  • Article  Discipline (ANT)
    Status   We informed them that we are working our own proposals that will encompass this area but we asked questions about some of the language they used and the process as they envisioned it. We will bring our own (counter) proposal to a future session.
  • Article  Personnel Files (ANT)
    Status  We informed them that we are working our own proposals that will encompass this area but we asked questions about some of the language they used and the process as they envisioned it. We will bring our own (counter) proposal to a future session.
  • Article  No Strike/Lockout (ANT)
    Status We decided to seek legal counsel before we agree to this one.
  • Article  Savings (ANT) This article just states that if the law changes any one element of the contract, it does not nullify the entire contract.
    Status  Tentative Agreement was signed.
  • Article  Intellectual Property (AAUP)
    Status  The ANT would like to propose some “small” changes to the existing policy that will “make it easier for faculty to choose a path forward.” We await their counter-proposal.
  • Article  Shared Governance (AAUP)
    Status The ANT pointed out that this is not a mandatory subject for bargaining and declared the topic not bargainable, but then went on to engage in a conversation about why this is important to faculty. We pressed them on the subject, reminding them that it is a major concern for faculty and that we will continue to emphasize the importance of shared governance in these proceedings. We agreed to return to the topic later.

 

Again,  I will be posting these updates as often as I can and at least once a month until we have our first contract. Our next bargaining session is February 9.

 

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