ATHENS, Ohio -- (February 29, 2000) The Ohio University bargaining team was surprised and
disappointed that AFSCME bargaining unit members Monday night voted to
reject the tentative contract agreement that was reached on Feb. 25.
Provisions in the tentative agreement include:
- A 10 percent wage increase over the three-year contract.
- An $800 one-time bonus to encourage employees to join or maintain their
coverage under the Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) Health Plan. The
PPO plan is the most cost effective plan for the university. It also
provides health benefits that are comparable to or greater than the AFSCME
Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan and already includes the vast majority
of health care providers used by AFSCME members.
- An increase in shift differential for employees working second and third
shift.
- Three personal days annually for employees who have at least 15 days of
sick time accrued.
- Expanded meal benefits for Food Service employees.
- Inequities in skilled craft wages were addressed and other incentives were agreed upon.
Over the past decade, the university has faced sharply rising health care
costs. This year, health care costs are projected to increase by 11 percent
and prescription costs are expected to increase by 17 percent. With this
tentative agreement, the university bargaining team and the union
bargaining team agreed for AFSCME employees to share in the premium costs
associated with health insurance.
Under the agreement, premium costs for employees would be $100.62 per year
for single coverage and $301.86 per year for family coverage. For example,
depending on the employee's coverage level, a custodial worker will receive
increases after premium contributions ranging between $1,507.98 and
$1,729.24 in the first year of the contract due to the 4 percent wage
increase and the PPO incentive bonus.
Federal mediator William Lewis has scheduled a meeting with university and
union representatives for March 1 to continue negotiations.
