LEO Bargaining approaches end of official time-line for bargaining

Bargaining Update, April 9, 2010

     Last week we told Management that after what had happened in the English Department with my review, we had lost faith in the performance review provisions and needed to go back to the drawing board. So we spent the morning trying to develop language responsive to the kinds of things that have gone wrong in reviews generally speaking: late notice of class room visits, no feedback on classroom visits, shifting standards, unreasonable and/or hidden standards, an appeals process outside the unit, etc. We presented this proposal in the afternoon. 
     On money, we reiterated that we felt their proposal was completely inadequate, especially in their failure to acknowledge our equity arguments. So we stuck with our current compensation package, but gave them a proposal on benefits that would essentially make part-time (50-79%) whole by compensating them for the increased benefits burden for the next three years (we cannot bargain beyond that time). This would come in the form of a lump sum payment half way through the term.
     Interestingly, they did not say one word about the teach-in or the rally although they certainly looked glum. Since next Friday is officially the last date of scheduled bargaining, we talked about adding some dates at the beginning of next week. As official bargaining sessions (not small group discussions), these would be open to LEO members. Date, time, and place tba when known.
     There will be a membership meeting Monday April 19 at 5 pm on all three campuses.  This is when we come together to evaluate where we are, set bottom lines etc. If you haven't been to any other LEO event all year, this is the one to come to.  Next Friday we bargain in lovely Palmer Commons (room number tba when I know them) over behind the Dental School.

Kirsten Herold

LEO VP