Bargaining Session #5 Recap
Bargaining Session #5 Recap: It’s All On the Table
We met with management for our long-delayed fifth bargaining session on Monday, June 8. There was no acknowledgment from either side why there was such a large gap between sessions; however, tones were collegial, and the session seemed to return to the same productive, forward-moving momentum from before our unexpected break.
Most importantly, we introduced the rest of the outstanding articles, which means that we have presented all of our contract proposals to management – an accomplishment that cannot be understated. In past contract cycles, management has slow-rolled settling most contract provisions by arguing that they hadn’t seen the full contract. That is no longer an excuse. Therefore, with open dialogue and true negotiation (while still advancing our union rights), there is every opportunity to settle this contract before our current one expires.
Below is the full list of proposals that we presented on Monday, which are accessible through our public bargaining tracker here.
Article XVII. Access to Personnel Files (TT & NTT)
Article XV. Discipline and Dismissal (NTT)
Article XVIII. Grievance and Arbitration (NTT & TT)
Side Letter: Track switching
Article VII. Institutional Commitments (TT & NTT)
Article XXIII. Duration (TT & NTT)
Article VI. Compensation, Leaves and Group Health (separate NTT & TT)
Side letter: Addressing unanticipated changes in higher education
Management also stated they were ready to tentatively agree to several contract proposals that were unchanged from our current contract, including Article V. Diversity and Affirmative Action, which they proposed reverting to the current contract’s language (you can find the status quo language here). This reversion is important: we would maintain the scope of union involvement in diversity and equity committees. However, the true test of management’s commitment to our university’s DEI mission will be in how they respond to the operationalization of DEI values sprinkled throughout the contract. We welcome the return to status quo for Article V., but we are aware that it could be lip service; the true fight is still to come.
Bargaining Session #6:
Our sixth bargaining is Monday, June 15 from 11:30-1:30 – an hour earlier than we have been bargaining – in Student Center East, room 603 (in the tower) or on Zoom. We anticipate several rounds of counterproposals being passed back and forth, so please consider coming in person to support the team and participating in our in-caucus discussions. This week, we loved having new faces in the room and would love to see even more next week.
In Solidarity,
The UIC UF Bargaining team
Sarah Abboud (Associate Professor, Nursing) | Ben Aldred (Associate Professor, Library) | Xochitl Bada (Professor, Latin American and Latino Studies) | Andy Baker (Clinical Assistant Professor, Music) | Maya Banks (Research Assistant Professor, Mathematics) | Becky Bonarek (Lecturer, UIC Tutorium) | Tessa Bonney (Assistant Professor, Public Health) | Pranav Bhounsule (Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering) | Ian Collins (Clinical Assistant Professor, Daley Library) | Dave Crockett (Professor, Business and Marketing) | Kate Floros (Clinical Associate Professor, Political Science) | Anna Guevarra (Professor, Global Asian Studies) | Jeff Gore (Senior Lecturer, English) | Anna Kornbluh (Professor, English) | George Maratos (Lecturer, Computer Science) | Jonathan Mekinda (Associate Professor, Design) | Nicole Nguyen (Professor, Criminology, Law and Justice) | Kevin O'Brien (Clinical Associate Professor, Library of the Health Sciences) | Ed Podsiadlik (Clinical Associate Professor, Education) | Laurie Quinn (Clinical Professor, Biobehavioral Nursing Science) | Sarah Ullman (Professor, CLJ) | Charitianne Williams (Senior Lecturer, English)
Interested in Going Deeper on All Matters Bargaining?
We will kick off a series of Know Your Contract Proposal messages with a breakdown of the new Article XXIV. Educational Technology & Artificial Intelligence. Keep an eye on your inbox!
In addition, if you’re interested in learning a bit more about each session, including information on the bargaining process itself, we host longer bargaining recaps on our YouTube channel. Various members of the bargaining team break down what’s happening at the table and why it matters. (Note: Session 5’s recap is not available yet.)