21 Jun Bargaining Update #3: First Session Report
Hitting the Ground Running
Yesterday we held our first negotiating meeting with the University Administration’s bargaining team. We came prepared to lay the groundwork for the negotiating process, and to move forward on a number of articles if opportunity allowed.
Beyond introductions, we were able to move quickly into those articles, introducing items we were prepared to reach Tentative Agreements (TA’s) on, without any changes. We also proposed amendments to align the language of our Tenure Track and Non-Tenure Track contracts, where those language differences do not appear to impact the substance or intent of the articles.
While there are certainly some differences between the two bargaining units, we negotiate as one faculty, and stand united as one union. We want to see this reality reflected in the language of our contracts wherever practical, and we hope the university will accept this in good faith, particularly where no other substantive changes are being proposed to the existing contract.
Non-Descrimination
Ultimately most of the proposals we brought contained no substantive changes, but we did ask for expanded inclusiveness in our non-discrimination articles. In the current national climate of heightened tension around a host of identity questions, we feel that making a statement that we will protect members of our community from discrimination is simply common sense. We believe the University should agree.
Next Meeting
Our next meeting with the University Administration’s team will be next Wednesday, June 27th, 2pm-5pm, in Student Center East, Room 713. We have expressed, and our counterparts on the University’s team seem to agree, that pursuing a negotiating process which is both fair and efficient is in everyone’s interest. We hope the University will come back to the table ready to have constructive discussions around the articles we’ve presented, and we look forward to reaching early agreements wherever possible.
For the duration of the bargaining process, we will be issuing periodic updates via email, facebook, twitter, and here on our website. We strongly encourage everyone to like and follow us on social media. With your support, we can make UIC an even better place to work and learn!
In Solidarity,
UIC United Faculty Bargaining Team
Aaron Krall [Co-Chair], Senior Lecturer, English | Kevin Whyte [Co-Chair], Professor, Math, Statistics and Computer Science | Kheir Al-Kodmany, Professor, Urban Planning and Policy | Xochitl Bada, Associate Professor, Latin American and Latino Studies | Joaquin Chavez, Associate Professor, History | Jim Drown, Senior Lecturer, English | Chris Kanich, Assistant Professor, Computer Science | Scott McFarland, Lecturer, English | Paul Pieper, Associate Professor, Economics | Paul Preissner, Associate Professor, Architecture | Laurie Quinn, Clinical Professor, Biobehavioral Science | Jeffrey Sklansky, Associate Professor, History | Charitianne Williams, Senior Lecturer, English | Milos Zefran, Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering