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News :: Labor |
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Academic Professionals At U Of I To Unionize! |
Current rating: 6 |
by Dan Chambers
Email: dschambers77 (nospam) hotmail.com (unverified!)
Phone: 337-5174
Address: 809 S. Fifth St. |
10 May 2003
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On Thursday, May 8th, academic professionals at the U of I announced they had commenced a card drive for formal union recognition. The Association of Academic Professionals, the group representing AP's, has been organizing for the past 5 years. |
On May 1, the Association of Academic Professionals (AAP) began the card drive that could lead to a union election for academic professionals within the year. The AAP has been an advocate for the UIUC's 2,300 academic professionals for the past four years.
"Given the circumstances on campus-a two year pay freeze, the truth leaking out that some administrators are receiving generous raises during the crisis, and now a restructuring announcement, we think that now is the time
to launch a petition drive" said Eric Beck, co-chair of the AAP's Card Drive Committee.
In September 2001, the average raise for upper administrative units was 12.1%. Other units ranged in average from 7.0% to 5.2%. In September 2002, the start of the statewide budget crisis, most of campus saw a 0% salary increase. As the current economic climate continues to deteriorate, most academic professionals will see a salary cut due to the shifting of the pay day from the 21st of each month to the 16th.
On July 31, 2002 AAP leadership met with Provost Richard Herman to discuss academic professional issues. Future AAP-sponsored forums were planned with the Provost. These were cancelled as Provost Herman stated that meeting with AAP would mean implicit recognition of the union.
A meeting with Governor Blagojevich's staff person (Eamon Kelley) and AAP leadership occurred on March 4, 2003, to discuss the University budget and academic professional concerns. We will be maintaining this contact with
the Governor's Office of Education.
Union contracts provide union employees with protection against arbitrary dismissal, fair procedures for grievance arbitration, opportunities to receive higher salaries, and better benefits. AAP is presently working through the Council of Academic Professionals (CAP) on such issues. CAP is a UIUC organization, which is advisory to the Chancellor on AP issues.
While working within the system is effective, AAP members understand that the only way to achieve a real voice for academic professionals is by winning the right to collective bargaining.
Contacts:
Association of Academic Professionals-IEA/NEA
Jenny Barrett,Chair:352-2714
Eric Beck,Co-Chair Card Drive Committee:390-3627
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See also:
http://www.uiucaap.org
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