Negotiations Update 8/29/22

Dear Union Siblings:

Welcome back to campus! We are still awaiting an offer from Administration. Given their delay, we would like to provide an update on our position at the table. As you know, Administration provided only their second offer to us on Saturday shortly before our membership meeting and publicized its details in the press. In response, we presented a comprehensive package proposal yesterday that, if accepted, would resolve all outstanding issues in the negotiations.

Most significantly, in our package proposal our team has decided to accept the changes in healthcare plans the Administration has proposed. These changes will increase the out-of-pocket costs for those on the PPO plan. However, they are likely required for our health plans to comply with State law. As such, we are proposing a package that will offset these required changes for our membership. We will not accept any proposal which will cut any members pay during this time of rampant inflation. 

As we wait to hear back from Administration, we thought we would update you on the remaining issues between the parties. Our position on key issues, compared to Administration’s position, is below:

We are also discussing other issues including changes to union officer release time, changes to the grievance procedure, increases in dental and vision coverage, and modifications to the research release.  

Please feel free to share this information, including on social media. We believe our positions are fair and equitable and we have received overwhelming public support in our fight for a fair contract. We are continuing to attend mediation each and every day this week and will do everything we can to obtain a fair contract.

Finally, we would like to reiterate that we are continuing negotiations and that our prior vote did not authorize a work stoppage. All work stoppages must be authorized by a vote of the full membership. Unless that occurs, continue to report to work and perform duties as you normally would. However, over the next few days please be prepared for the possibility that we call an emergency meeting to authorize a strike if we are unable to reach agreement on the outstanding issues.

In solidarity,

EMU-AAUP negotiating team