University, union negotiations to begin soon
Nov 25, 2009
From staff reports
Luis Lewin, chief human resources officer, today announced the university intends to enter into full negotiations with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Ohio Council 8, Local 1699, to develop a successor agreement. The current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) expires at 5:01 p.m. on March 1, 2010.
Negotiations will begin next month, Lewin said in an all-campus memo, after members of the local failed to approve a proposal for a one-year extension to the current CBA by a vote of 258 against and 74 for ratification during a regular meeting Tuesday night.
Highlights of the proposed extension agreement include:
- Continued bargaining-unit-employee wage increases to equal the classified annual wage pool when annual wage increases are offered.
- Bargaining-unit employees would assume the same deductibles and drug co-payments as everyone else.
- Modification in the duration of the agreement until 5 p.m., July 15, 2011.
Lewin said the negotiations will be difficult for both the university and the union, particularly during a time of unprecedented financial challenges and state funding reductions.
"We recognize that the contributions our employees make to the success of our institution every day are vitally important and we are prepared to bargain in good faith with our local union partners to help ensure we can continue to fulfill our mission of academic excellence for the university," he said. "Our mutual commitment and dedication to the mission of Ohio University must be evident in our new agreement and will be the key to our future success."
AFSCME represents 589 skilled trades and service employees at the Athens campus, 18 at the Zanesville campus and nine at the Chillicothe campus. The Employee and Labor Relations area is responsible for administering and negotiating the AFSCME contract.
Published: Nov 25, 2009 10:04 AM |
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