Tentative Agreements reached at University of Akron

Three tenative agreements were reached at the University of Akron on last week; the trades unit that expired October 2015, the wage reopener for the newer Staff Bargaining Unit, and a successor contract for that unit whose contract expires September 2016. The agreements call for wage increases of 3% July 1 2016, 2% July 1, 2017, 3% July 1,2018 and 4% July 1, 2019 each expiring April 30, 2020. There were some positive changes in the trades contract that have already been implemented. Each of the agreements include the same health care negative changes (not outrageous) as the rest of the University including all management. The SBU agreement remains the same as the original contract negotiated two and a half years ago which has been working very effectively. This was interesting bargaining that hinged on what the faculty negotiated,with our input, on healthcare.  Local 4302 has established a great working relationship with the University's labor relations team that resulted in them actually taking our position with the administration.

Congratulations to the local, the bargaining team, and the membership.