NEIUPI

I have attached the UPI proposal that was passed today. In an attempt to “think outside” of the box, we proposed eliminating CH/IEI calculation for art studio courses by instructors. That is what is described in #2. I believe the rest are self explanatory.

We sent this proposal to the administration through the mediator. The mediator returned with the administration’s response that we had received a last, best and final offer. We worked with the mediator to find compromise positions for several of our open issues. Items #1, #2 and #8 were identified as essential in reaching an agreement. Items #3 – 6 could be reduced to a memo of understanding rather than included as contract language. Item #7 was changed to accepting an instructional/primary duty expectation of 18-20 credit units if up to 1 of the credit units could be attributed to thesis or team teaching. In the interest of reaching an agreement, we dropped the proposal for FY13 and FY14 dollars to address compression but accepted their across the board increase for those years.

Although both teams explored options off the record, we reached no resolution. Therefore, the administration’s last best and final remains on the table.

Please attend the UPI Spring Fling tomorrow, I will send more information about the event in a later email.

The UPI negotiating team returns to the table on Wednesday, April 27. Attend the UPI Spring Fling to learn what happened at negotiations. Fling information appears below and on the attached flier.

Department/Program representatives, please duplicate fliers and distribute to your colleagues.

Faculty, Staff and Students

Join us for the
UPI
“Spring Fling”
celebrating
Solidarity,Sunshine & Socializing

Thursday, April 28th

2:30 pm – 4:30 pm

Lech Walesa Patio

We’ll be outside, so dress appropriately!

We have been advised that the administration will not be available to negotiate until Wednesday, April 27. The articles that have not been TA’ed contain language on workload, compensation and promotion. You can locate the specific articles on the administration’s posting of its last offer. The link is:

http://www.neiu.edu/~admconpr/

As you know, the membership rejected the administration’s March 22 contract proposal. The UPI team has asked to return to negotiations. The first ratification vote (March 1 proposal) revealed that more than 80% of the members voting rejected that proposal but the latest vote on their March 22 proposal had only 71% rejection rate. That would seem to indicate that we may be getting closer to a contract that UPI members will ratify.

We would like members’ feedback on which issues must be addressed for the next ratification vote to be successful. To that end, please complete the short survey you will find at the link below. We will continue to collect your feedback until midnight, Wednesday, April 6.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Ratify_this

Today, the UPI membership rejected the administration’s March 22 proposal. Of the members voting, 71.3% voted no while 28.7% voted to accept. We would like to return to the bargaining table as soon as possible. I have requested additional information from the contract administrator, Allen Shub, about the employment contracts of the art instructors.