University of Alaska finalizes contract negotiations with unions
Four groups agree to contracts through 2010
Originally published Tuesday, April 1, 2008 at 12:01 a.m.
Updated Tuesday, April 1, 2008 at 10:22 a.m.
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Stumble It!Inflation and staff retention were consistent factors in determining the terms of three union contracts recently approved by the University of Alaska Board of Regents.
At a special meeting last week, regents approved contracts that will extend from Jan. 1, 2008, to Dec. 31, 2010.
Members of United Academics-AAUP/AFT, which represents 940 university faculty, counselors, librarians, Cooperative Extension agents and post-doctoral fellows primarily employed at the main campus, will receive an annual salary increase of 3.3 percent over three years. However, the university’s contribution to net health care will be reduced from 97 percent to 83 percent beginning with the 2010 fiscal year. Notes from the meeting indicated that inflation pressure and the prediction that Alaska health care costs will rise by 15.5 percent shaped the bargaining process.
A separate union, United Academics-Adjuncts AAUP-AFT, reached an agreement that includes a 4 percent raise each year for three years. According to meeting notes, the university’s annual salary increase was 4.7 percent during 2005-2007. The union represents 1,024 part-time non-benefited faculty.
Local 6070, a union that represents approximately 262 custodians and maintenance employees, also finished negotiations with the university. The terms of its new contract include a one-time $800 transition payment as the union’s salary schedule is compressed and a reduction in the university’s net contribution from the current 97 percent to 83 percent beginning in 2010.
All three contracts listed the gain and retention of employees at the university as a factor in the negotiation process. The university finished negotiations with a fourth union, Alaska Community College’s Federation of Teachers, in February and has no other union contract negotiations in process.
Contact staff writer Christi Hang at 459-7590.
Community Discussion
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I am confused - but that happens all the time.
940 faculty + 1024 part-time + 262 custodians = 2226 people in the unions
I went to http://www.uaf.edu/orientation/faqs/inde... and the total # of students at UAF is 5427.
does this seem a little weird to anyone else?
Not to mention the fact that they are all in unions.....
Has anyone ever walked through the bowels of the library at UAF - and wondered what exactly all the people in there actually do? Last time I went through most were standing in the halls chatting with each other....
Just the numbers and the facts....too many staff - -
I tend to think so
You don't understand how hard it is.
akguy, yes you're confused. The numbers for employees in Local 6070 represents the total employees statewide. That includes Anchorage, Juneau, Fairbanks and remote campuses. Local 6070 represents the craft and trade employees performing maintenance, operations and custodial tasks. Unions represent about one third of the employees working at the University statewide. Last I knew employees still had the right to organize, nothing weird about that.
"Has anyone ever walked through the bowels of the library at UAF - and wondered what exactly all the people in there actually do? Last time I went through most were standing in the halls chatting with each other...."
I hope you don't come around my work when we're having a 25 year anniversary party for someone. With your "logic", you'd probably think that we just party all the time.
Don't call them facts when your take on them is so obviously flawed.
I wonder if it ever occurred to akguy that the people talking in the "bowels of the library at UAF" might actually be students? Last time I checked, they are allowed to talk to each other - in fact, some people even encourage it...
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USING ALL CAPITALS MAKES MY POINTS MORE EFFECTIVE!!!
*not*
I know people that work at the University. They seem to make a good living, most of them like their working environment, and most of them seem to be eating just fine. Not sure where you are getting your information from there...
WE ALL KNOW PEOPLE WHO ATTEND AND WORK AT THE UNIVERSITY.
Folks did you also know that some of the folks that work at the university are not represented by a union but are represented by the staff council. We have elected to stay out of a union for a reason. So with all of your bitching about unions and not wanting to work here. I am sort of glad you work or don't work where you are at. Just remember unions do not reflect everyone or everything and what you point out may not represent reality; only what you choise to see.
My point really wasn't the horrors of the unions - it was that for typical labor - the price and benefits go up when people are unionized...(i.e. Davis Bacon wages...)
Look at the auto industry in Detroit and other places - the unions have effectively killed it. Look at the Teachers Unions - the unions have effective killed our public school system and half our kids don't graduate.
When I was walking through the university i was actually doing work there as a contractor - and the individuals I saw there were NOT students - they worked there....
I am sure my numbers are flawed - but I am also sure that the University is overstaffed - for those of you who don't believe this - take a walk around over there...I have in the several projects I was involved with there. Lots of wasted spending.
When a population reaches over 50% working for the government, doesn't it begin to reach a unsustainable critical mass where it continues to grow unabated (as the retirement fiasco may be trying to show us?) I think we are getting close to this number if we are not already there, and if Alaska doesn't trim some of its fat our children will inherit a mess. But then again - I guess they, too, could always get a job with the government.
Wow, I never knew every problem is related to unions! Glad you made me aware that they are responsible for all the evil in this world. Whew. I almost relied on 100 years of histoical facts showing the sweeping good unions have done for this country. Good thing I need not rely on history or facts any longer, just uninformed opinion. Unions are not responsible for all the high wages....look at how private industry executives are screwing all of us. What about doctors, lawerys, bankers....hmmm, none union and all making far more than most union jobs. Maybe you should snipe at everyone making more than the minimum wage.
I make more, receive better benefits, and have a better retirement plan now that I am no longer in a unionized position. In my old unionized position I had to make regular decisions about whether I would spend my last $2 on a load of laundry or spend it on a cheap hamburger at McDonald's for dinner. It's not like I was wasting money - my rent was $400/month in a questionable apartment complex, I had no car loan, and didn't even have a cell phone.
I paid over $300 dollars a month for health insurance (that I couldn't afford because I had so little left over that I couldn't meet my deductible), a percentage of my paycheck to the union, and monthly dues on top of that. All for a group that just rolled over when my co-workers and I wanted to seek more assistance (or more affordable) health care.
As far as I can tell, unions don't exist to protect workers or their jobs. Unions exist to protect the union.
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