UDMPU Professional Negotiating Committee
Cover Letter
WE HAVE A TENTATIVE AGREEMENT
The PNC thanks the UDMPU membership for its suggestions and show of concern regarding the budget situation with which we have been dealing for the past several weeks. Taking those suggestions to the bargaining table enabled the PNC and the University administration to create the attached draft of a new “Letter of Agreement #15.” Both the PNC and the UDMPU Board unanimously support this tentative agreement.
Here is a summary of the discussions and rationale for the Letter, followed by a more detailed explanation:
Ø Unanimous agreement that the budget crisis needed to be resolved.
Ø Administration did not lie to us by giving a “rosy” picture just to get passage of their proposal.
Ø This is a one-time action, not a foundation for a “pattern” of requests.
Ø We got fiscal transparency through financial and staffing data.
Ø We created a plan on how to use financial data.
Ø Use of UDMPU travel funds was found to be inappropriate and inequitable.
Ø Use of CLAE research funds was likewise found to be inappropriate and inequitable.
Ø Treating the reduction in 403b funds as loan would require it to be carried on the books as part of this year’s deficit, and hence it was rejected by the administration.
Ø Considering 403b funds to be a loan failed to resolve the crisis and was therefore rejected by the administration.
Ø Repayment to specific TIAA-CREF accounts would be illegal.
Ø The reductions in TIAA-CREF contributions are covered by the increased contributions resulting from the negotiated increases in the current contract.
Ø We take a leadership role in helping right the University ship.
Ø We gain “chips” to be available at the next negotiating table.
Ø We “save” many non-UDMPU positions from immediate layoff until the administration and the UDMPU can work together to properly re-structure the University. This improves our own working environment and benefits our students.
Your PNC and your Union Board encourage you to ratify the attached tentative Letter of Agreement #15 and to attend a general membership meeting that convenes in LS 115 on Monday, 13 December 2004 at 1:30 pm to discuss and begin the ratification process as delineated in our by-laws. Note that our process requires a majority of our membership, not a majority of those who vote. As always, therefore, a non-vote is a “no” vote.
PNC Members: Nizar Al-Holou; Mike Canjar; Nancy Chesik; Jerry Curtsinger; Heather Hill-Vasquez; Clint Hirst; Stephen Manning; Prasad Venugopal, Larry Zeff.
View the Tentative Agreement
View the Detailed Explanation
Return to Budget-Crisis Page
Return to UDMPU Home Page
Last Revision: