Bargaining Session: January 17, 2020

On January 17, 2020 representatives of the University attended the twenty-fourth bargaining session with the union committee that represents Postdocs and ARSs.

The University reviewed a list of the non-economic proposals on which no agreement has been reached and suggested that the parties focus on coming to tentative agreements on those in the next few bargaining sessions. 

The Union reiterated their concerns raised in an open letter delivered the previous day to the Provost regarding Postdoc and ARS compensation and read quotes from union members related to salary concerns.  The University acknowledged the open letter and expressed its intent to engage in further compensation discussions but noted that compensation matters are typically resolved toward the end of negotiations when the parties have worked through and reached tentative agreements on most of the non-economic elements of the contract.

The University presented a revised proposal on Health and Safety.  In response to the Union’s continuing request for a mechanism for raising safety concerns in addition to that provided by the University’s Office of Environmental Health and Safety, the University added a provision that establishes a joint advisory Health and Safety committee with representation from the Union to provide feedback and recommendations to the University regarding health and safety concerns.

The Union presented revised proposals to the University on Appointments and Reappointments, Holidays, and Vacation together with its proposal on Leaves for consideration as a package.  In addition, the Union presented a revised proposal on Discipline and Discharge.  The parties discussed the Union’s revised proposals and the University’s proposals on those matters.

The parties discussed non-discrimination for the balance of the session.

The next session is scheduled for February 7, 2020.