The AEU and CSEA negotiating teams met March 27-28, and continued to discuss proposals for a successor agreement to our contract. The AEU team fulfilled its due diligence in the bargaining process by securing detailed information from CSEA regarding its economic proposals. AEU also presented its full set of proposals -- both economic and language proposals. The entire set can be viewed here.
AEU has proposed a four-year contract with meaningful wage increases each year, a full restoration of retirement benefits, security for health and welfare benefits, increased meal and car allowance, and better contract language – including strong protections against workplace bullying. All of the AEU proposals stemmed from feedback provided by AEU members in the bargaining survey.
Highlights of AEU’s initial proposal:
Salary: AEU has proposed a 5.0% wage increase each year for the duration of the contract.
Retirement: AEU has proposed restoring retirement benefits to the level that they were two years ago. That is full restoration of the 2.275% benefit calculation and elimination of the current two tier system including retiree health and welfare.
Health and Welfare: AEU has proposed keeping health and welfare benefits at their current level, fully paid by the employer with no cap.
Reimbursements: AEU has proposed increasing the meal allowance to $40 (same as CSEA members daily per-diem ). AEU also proposed increasing the car allowance by $50 per month starting June 1, 2015.
Worker Protections: AEU proposed implementing new contract language to stop intimidation in the workplace. In the AEU Bargaining Survey, 46% of AEU members said they were bullied on the job or witnessed bullying on the job. As many as 37% of AEU members said they experienced threats on the job.
Other Non-Economic Issues: Various non-economic issues were proposed that address working conditions and also clarify procedures and process in Articles 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 15, 16, 17, 19, 26, 27, 28, 29 and 33. In addition, AEU and CSEA reached tentative agreement on 9 other Articles where there is no change to current contract language. The parties further reached agreement on 4 Articles that have no economic impact including elimination of the Emeritus Program at Article 34. More information on those tentative agreements is available here.
The negotiating team is optimistic in the progress we are making at the bargaining table. We are also very pleased with the support we are receiving from the AEU membership and beyond. Please continue to demonstrate AEU strength and unity. Wear the new “I am AEU” button, which will be distributed in the near future. Join more than 50 other AEU members who have joined our Facebook group. Ask questions. Stay involved. And remember, solidarity makes us stronger.
In Solidarity,
Debbie Pichetto
Val Hollins
Karen Hartmann
Scott Hendries
Carol Koenig
Chris Platten
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