Now that procedural issues have been resolved (see below), negotiations between TAUP and the administration will begin tomorrow from 2:00-5:00 p.m. at TUCC.

We are engaging in Open Bargaining for the first time in our union’s history. All members of the Bargaining Unit, regardless of TAUP membership, are invited to witness the negotiations and to engage with the table team during breaks.  Open Bargaining promotes transparency and accountability and it gives each of our members a chance to show their solidarity for the work that TAUP is doing to improve salaries, benefits and working conditions for faculty, librarians and academic professionals.  Your presence gives the table team increased power at the table as they work toward achieving common goals and individual priorities.  Your participation is needed to ensure robust attendance at bargaining sessions.

 

If you are interested in attending Thursday’s session, please contact the TAUP Office, taupaft@gmail.com. Once the room we’ll be bargaining in is confirmed,  we can let you know where to meet. Attendees should plan to arrive at 1:30 p.m. to learn about Open Bargaining and how it works, as well as the role you can play as an observer.  If you would like to attend tomorrow but cannot make it by 1:30, let us know when you plan to arrive. We’ll fill you in on the rules which govern the process.

 

Laying the groundwork for an early settlement

Early in the term, the administration asked TAUP to consider an early settlement–that is, reaching an agreement well before our contract expires on October 15. We decided, for many reasons, that this could be in the best interest of our members, and that it was worth pursuing.

 

Since then, the two sides have been working to come to agreement on the issues we will be negotiating, including how they will be discussed.  We are happy to have found our way to a mutual agreement with the administration, so we can begin our work at the table.

 

The administration initially proposed that we limit bargaining topics to wages and benefits. TAUP proposed that job stability, child care, and tuition benefits at other schools be included, and the administration agreed.

 

We have also reached agreement on parallel processes for other issues important to our members.  This does not mean that we have settled these issues but rather that we will now begin meeting to find contract language to solve them:

• defining who in the library should be in the bargaining unit and how librarians can be promoted to the highest level;

• adding a fact-finding step to the grievance process;

• finding a way for adjuncts to meet 1:1 with students and to have access to photocopying and other resources;

• addressing  concerns around workload;

• addressing concerns related to diversity.

 

On the first three issues (librarians, grievances, resources for adjuncts), teams from the administration and TAUP will work together until September 1st to see what they can come to agreement on and add to our contract.  If the teams are unable to agree, then the relevant article of the contract will be re-opened for formal bargaining.  TAUP will benefit from having members with expertise in these three areas involved in the discussions. Please contact the TAUP office tapuaft@gmail.com if you are interested in being considered for one of these teams.

 

On workload, the parties have agreed to form a Labor-Management Committee that would meet at the end of the Spring semester to identify, clarify , and, if appropriate, propose solutions to concerns over workload. TAUP reserves the right to file grievances on workload as per the contract.

 

To address diversity, the parties have agreed to activate the administration-TAUP committee provided for in the current contract within 6 months of ratifying the new contract. Again, we know that members of our bargaining unit have expertise that will be critical to these discussions. Please contact our office tapuaft@gmail.com if you would be willing to join our team to push for greater progress in the University’s diversity efforts.

 

The deadline for reaching early settlement is June 30th with extensions if agreed to by both parties.  If the parties do not agree to a settlement by that date, then the entire contract will be up for negotiation.  The parties may decide to retain the agreements they had reached during the early settlement process but are not obliged to, and additional issues will be brought to the table.

 

Early settlement means that negotiations will be unusually intense, so it’s particularly important that our members pay attention to communications from TAUP, communicate with us,  and participate in Open Bargaining, our May 1 noon rally, and other events. We look forward to seeing you, hearing from you, and benefiting from your expertise and presence in bargaining.