Professional-Technical (PT) negotiations updates

Thursday, Sept. 2

The bargaining teams met on September 1 and reached a tentative agreement on a package proposal containing 9 proposals that the teams had been working on since August 5.
The parties also discussed ideas for coming together on a different package proposal. This package will be revised and discussed at the next bargaining session, set for September 13. There were also productive discussions regarding other union and management proposals.
Although the parties had planned to discuss compensation and benefits proposals on September 1, it was agreed to delay a discussion of these proposals until September 13.
The parties have agreed not to bargain during the first week of the Fall semester, September 6-10, due to everyone's schedule during this week. Negotiations will resume on September 13 with additional dates set for September 22 & 23 and October 1 and 4 (if needed).

Productive discussions have continued since the previous update.
On August 12, EMU Benefits Director, Sharreen Boone, gave both bargaining teams an overview of the health care challenges facing the University as a result of the Health Care Reform Act.
In subsequent bargaining sessions, the parties we were able to reach tentative agreements on two proposals and reached an agreement "in spirit" on a package proposal, which the parties have been working on since August 5. The parties plan to finalize the language of the package proposal with the intent of signing the package at the next session, set for September 1.
The University plans to present its compensation and benefits package proposal to the Union on September 1.
The parties have agreed to extend the current labor agreement through September 30, 2010.
Future dates for bargaining are September 1, 13, 22, and 23.

We had a full day of negotiations on August 5th. The University presented a package proposal, which incorporated a combination of several bargaining proposals. We also presented counter-proposals addressing the union's concerns on two matters. Although no tentative agreements were reached, we had good discussions and we expect to pick up the discussion when we meet on August 11th. On August 12th, the Benefits Office will make a presentation. We have agreed to bargain on August 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 24, and (if needed) September 1 and 2 in the afternoon.

To date we have had a total of six bargaining sessions with the union. (The union was unable to bargain in June except for the 1st.) We had two sessions this week on Tuesday and Thursday, and much of the time was spent exchanging contract language proposals. The union currently has 15 proposals on the table. On Thursday we reached tentative agreement on a couple of minor proposals, and we agreed to extend the current CBA through August 31st. We had a good discussion regarding some major issues for both sides. This discussion will provide a framework upon which we will develop and present a package proposal, which will include several key proposals from both sides. We plan to present the package proposal at our next session. Future bargaining dates are set for August 5, 11, 12, 17 and 19. We will add more dates when we meet on the 5th.

We met on June 1 and had a full day of negotiations. Both sides passed proposals, but no TAs were reached. During this time we had a couple of hours of brainstorming discussions regarding the union's proposals on three matters. We have no further bargaining dates in June. Also, we agreed to extend the contract on a day-to-day basis through July 31, 2010. We have six dates in July: 13, 15, 20, 21, 27, and 29.
President Martin hosted an informal, get-acquainted barbeque at University House May 17.
We had an opening session on May 10, during which the union provided its request for information, we discussed ground rules for bargaining, and we established a schedule for bargaining.
We have scheduled the following days for bargaining:
May 27, May 28 (half day), June 1, July 13, 16, 20, 22, 27, 30