Bargaining Udate 7

An update from our most recent bargaining sessions with the University

While there were a few weeks between bargaining sessions with the university in June, our team stayed busy and we’ve since met with ISU’s team on June 22, June 30 and July 9.

We made a little progress at our June 22 meeting, but our bargaining session on June 30 was not productive at all. We expressed to the university our continued willingness to meet more often, to meet for longer and to do whatever work was necessary to move us toward agreement. We also expressed our hope and expectation that they take the same approach — and that they demonstrate that through their actions.

While the progress was slow, we did see more movement July 9 and have reached some additional tentative agreements.

We currently have tentative agreements on the following issues:

• Purpose of the Agreement
• Availability of the Agreement
• Dues Deduction
• No Strikes/No Lockouts
• Academic Freedom,
• Labor-Management Meetings
• Non-discrimination
• Management Rights
• Union Access and Employee Information
• Personnel Files and Records
• Grievance and Arbitration
• Discipline and Discharge
• Honorable Dismissal and Reduction in Force
• Probationary Period
• Intellectual Property
• Professional Development and Other Training
• Shared Governance
• Health and Safety

While we’ve made quite a bit of progress, there are still a number of issues on the table on which we’ve yet to reach agreement. We’ve shared all of our language proposals with the university, and we’ve shared our financial proposals as well.

The following items are still outstanding:

• Recognition Clause
• Maintenance of Standards / Limitations and Savings
• Evaluation (we anticipate a TA on this at our next meeting)
• Vacancies and Transfers (we are close here as well)
• School Calendar/Work year/School Day
• Work Day (instructional minutes, full-time status)
• Job expectations/responsibilities/availability for professional responsibilities
• Working conditions (class size, travel, surveillance, etc.)
• Leaves
• Compensation

*Keep in mind that all tentative agreements are just that — tentative. They could change as we continue through this process, but they are signs of continued progress and we are optimistic we can continue that progress if the university continues to come to the table and bargain in good faith with us.

Our team is scheduled for a work session with LSEA officers on July 13. We then meet again with ISU on both July 16 and July 28.

On behalf of all of us — Lauren Denofrio-Corrales, Jake Davis, Andy Goveia, Chris Pederson, Kevin Thompson, Amy Yount and IEA UniServ Director Ben Matthews — thank you for your continued solidarity and support! If you are wanting to help in any way, you can reach out to LSEA president, Meg Flanagan!

Our power at the bargaining table comes from membership and our solidarity is our strength. If you have not yet joined us, please join us today! Reach out to anyone of the bargaining team or contact Meg, if you have questions or would like more information about becoming a LSEA member!

Don’t hesitate to reach out with questions. And watch for more updates as we have more information to share.