|
Comment on this article |
Email this Article
|
|
News :: Labor |
|
UIUC Responds to AFSCME 3700 Press Release |
Current rating: 0 |
by Paul Kotheimer
Email: herringb (nospam) prairienet.org (unverified!) |
14 Oct 2004
|
|
On October 12, the UIUC's Denise Hendricks and Kenneth Kombrink sent a letter to all members of AFSCME 3700. The letter was a point-by-point response to AFSCME's recent press release. The press release is available as a previous posting on this site. |
Here is the text of the letter:
October 12, 2004
TO: AFSCME 3700 Employees
FROM: Denise Hendricks, Assistand Vice President for Human Resources
Kenneth G. Kombrink, Associate University Counsel
While it is the University's general practice not to comment on ongoing negotiations, we believe it is important to respond to questions we have received as a result of a recent statement released to the media by AFSCME 3700 concerning bargaining efforts.
AFSCME has communicated that the University is not bargaining in good faith.
The University is bargaining in good faith and is committed to bargaining in good faith.
The University and AFSCME have met six times and have reached tentative agreement on five of the union's non-economic proposals. AFSCME has accepted none of the proposals offered by the University.
There have, of course, been instances where both the University and AFSCME believed discussions and proposals have not been productive. However, the University has not walked out of any bargaining session, including the September 30, 2004, session as reported by AFSCME. Further, the University cannot be accused of stalling negotiations since both AFSCME and the University had jointly agreed upon a meeting date of October 21, 2004, to continue talks well before the September 30 session.
AFSCME has reported that they have most recently proposed a four-year contract with 4.75% increases each year of the contract.
This statement is misleading.
The value of the latest AFSCME proposal is not 4.75%, but rather 5.75% or 7.75% per hear if the current step plan is continued as proposed by AFSCME. The 5.75% increase is almost double the value of increases that have been accepted by other bargaining unites and the 7.75 increase is well beyond those increases.
AFSCME has communicated some confusing statements regarding the University's proposal for across-the-board increases in the new contract.
Currently, the University has offered AFSCME two alternative wage proposals.
One of these provides for across-the-board increases for each ot the three years of the contract. Year one increases are similar to thoses agreed to by AFSCME 698 (2.25% across-the-board and step increases for a total cost of approximately 3%). Years two and three provide for across-the-board increases equivalent to the overall campus wage program for civil service employees.
AFSCME has reported that the University proposes to take away the step plan.
The union's statement is incorrect.
AFSCME is currently requesting the continuation of the 2% and 4% step increases as well as 3.75% across-the-board increases. An alternative University wage proposal still on the table would provide for ontinuing step increases for three years, but with modifications to the step plan that would make it more compatible with University fiscal resources and other salary programs. The University needs to be a presonsible steward of its reduced fiscal resources.
AFSCME has stated that the University "wants to take something back" because they believe they "gave too much" in the last contract.
The union's statement is incorrect.
It is true that the previous AFSCME 3700 contract was generous (15%-21% increases over a three-year period vs. 6% increases -- including a wage freeze in FY03 -- for most other civil service staff over the same timeframe). Nevertheless, the University has not submitted any proposals that would "take back" any increases AFSCME 3700 employees received during the period of the previous contract (August 19, 2001 - August 28, 2004), nor is it the intent to make "corrections" to what was agreed upon in prior contracts. University proposals are bases on the current fiscal climate and are consistent with the University's bargaining position with all other unions this year.
The University bargaining team is committed to the collective bargaining process and respects and values the employees represented by AFSCME 3700. |
This work is in the public domain |
