3/30/2020 Bargaining Update
The bargaining team was back at the (virtual) table last Friday – despite the uncertain times we are still bargaining according to schedule. We do not know what’s going to happen at the state level in terms of economic parameters, but we are still moving forward.
Our theme for this round of bargaining is equity and justice.
We are confident that we can make progress on these issues, and to that end we introduced a number of new proposals on Friday, including:
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Expanding bereavement leaves from four to five days and including any family members or loved ones as defined by the bargaining-unit member
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Expanding the childcare assistance fund and opening it up to all bargaining-unit members
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Creating an elder care assistance fund open to all bargaining-unit members
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Creating equitable workloads that do not unduly burden any group of faculty
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Improving equity in hiring negotiations, retention, and start-up packages
Next week, among others, we will present a series of proposals on climate justice, and on online education.
We hope that every is keeping safe and sane, physically distanced but socially connected, during these troubling times.
In solidarity,
MSP Bargaining team
(Eve Weinbaum, Jacquie Kurland, Marc Liberatore, Asha Nadkarni, Kate Zdepski, Lori Reardon, Mickey Gallagher, and Heather LaPenn)