12/9: Mediation Update
The bargaining committee and University are very close to an agreement. The University made significant movement in mediation yesterday. The bargaining committee worked past midnight last night and picked up work at 7am this morning.
The committee met with the University from 9am to 12:30pm today and is scheduled to resume mediation tomorrow at 3pm.
Refer to our press release from earlier today here.
The major outstanding issue is health insurance.
The proposal that the University's team made:
Could result in drastic hikes to our out-of-pocket costs, deductibles, and other aspects of the plan that could potentially wipe out pay raises.
Could result in some faculty who teach fewer than 90 contact hours in an academic year losing health insurance eligibility.
With regard to this second point, the University has indicated openness to ensuring that all faculty who are currently eligible remain eligible. The committee intends to work with the University tomorrow to ensure that the proposal's text reflects this sentiment.
With regard to point one, the committee remains gravely concerned that any raises provided to faculty could be canceled out by hikes to our healthcare costs.
The bargaining committee looks forward to continuing to work towards a fair deal for faculty during mediation with the University at 3pm tomorrow.
Tonight's membership meeting will give a full presentation of where we stand on all articles–what gains we've made and where the university is still refusing to move–so everyone can make an informed decision as we get closer to an agreement with the University.