ACT-UAW – Part-Time Faculty Successor Contract Negotiations Update: Session 17
The New School and representatives of ACT-UAW, Local 7902, met again for another full day of bargaining on Tuesday, October 25, continuing to work through the complete package of proposals in the push towards reaching an agreement.
During the negotiations, the union rejected a set of 6 proposals that the university presented to the union at the previous session, and instead offered individual counter proposals to those articles. The union also presented its responses on the remaining noneconomic articles.
There was significant discussion about the union’s proposal to subject claims of harassment and discrimination to the grievance and arbitration procedure. However, the university explained that the established process used by The New School best ensures the university’s compliance with federal and state law in these areas.
The union and the university both offered some movement concerning articles related to bulletin boards, meeting space, union access, unpaid leave, and paid leave.
As bargaining continued, the union and the university found more common ground, identifying and agreeing upon eleven articles where there are no proposed changes to the existing contract. These articles, including discipline and discharge, coverage for domestic partners, the maintenance of benefits, and Flexible Spending Accounts, among others, are now considered to be settled, and will form part of the new contract.
In addition to these agreements, the union indicated that there is a tentative agreement on personnel files. Adding to the progress made, the university offered responses and/or possible tentative agreement on seven articles.
To further its commitment to reaching a timely agreement for the benefit of everyone in the community, the university proposed meeting for five full days of negotiations next week and select weekend sessions if necessary. The union accepted two of the proposed weekday sessions; the university also offered to meet Monday through Friday, full day sessions, the week of November 7th; the university is awaiting the union’s response as to the outstanding dates proposed.
We look forward to our next bargaining session on October 27, when we expect to make further progress. We will continue to share updates on our negotiations page to help keep our community informed.