After over 12 hours of bargaining with the administration today, our bargaining team signed a tentative agreement on our 2011-2014 contract at 2:05 AM. The contract still needs to be ratified by a vote by the membership. Stay tuned for an announcement about a General Membership Meeting next week where we will vote to send out a ratification ballot!
We were able to secure an excellent agreement. Our new contract has the following gains:
–Disability accommodations
–2.5%, 3%, and 3% raises
–Maintained prescription drug copays – a huge win in this economic climate
–50% GEO representation on a 6 member committee to evaluate the spousal work/study requirement for the university’s child care subsidy. The University will put $75,000 in contract years 2 and 3, each, toward implementing the recommendations of this committee, if those recommendations are accepted.
–Increase in the amount of the childcare subsidy, with a link to the rate of tuition increase at child care centers
–Dental I for all low fraction employees without a premium
–Access to lactation spaces
–Language establishing guidelines for timely hiring (generally by 3 weeks before the semester starts)
–Jobs posting website for all GSI and GSSA positions by September 2013
–Maintained $0/month premiums for GradCare
–Expanded SEVIS fee reimbursement timeline
–Maintained current term of agreement language regarding contract expiration, which the university badly wanted to change
–Burton Tower keys for School of Music GSIs with offices there
–No mandatory group work hours after 1 AM
–Low fraction GSIs auto-enrolled in zero premium GradCare
If you see your Steward, Bargaining Team member, GEO officer, or staffer, give them a solidarity high-five, and come to the membership meeting.
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