General discussion about economics continued today with the OU-AAUP team presenting their costing and highlighting the stability and strength of the university’s current and future financial positions. The OU-AAUP countered on a single economic article and several language items while the employer offered no proposals today. After a brief caucus halfway through the session, the employer decided not to continue today’s three-hour session. Our next bargaining session was scheduled for this Thursday but the employer has decided to initiate the process to bring in a mediator. This means that the next bargaining sessions will be determined with a mediator once they have joined the teams.
Article IV (Academic Titles): Our team offered a counter proposal that simply eliminates SL titles introduced in earlier proposals and adjusts inaccurate language from the employer’s proposal that outlined the tiered contracts for SLs. The OU-AAUP remains committed to reworking the definition of SLs to more closely reflect the overall number of courses taught.
Article X (Professional Responsibilities): The OU-AAUP team offered another counter proposal on this article that continues to reject the employer’s proposed universal workload for Special Instructors and takes into account the agreed upon language regarding outside professional work notification, particularly as relates to teaching. The proposal also provides further modification to the language that would allow for individual faculty to request an increased teaching load to offset decreases in research or service, most notably the inclusion of a mandatory meeting that includes the faculty member as well as representatives from Oakland, the academic unit and the OU-AAUP prior to any written agreement.
Article XI (Salary for Full-Time Non-Visiting Faculty): The OU-AAUP offered a proposal today that eliminates our proposed $12,000 to base increase for FT Visiting Faculty only.
Contract negotiations are always a long and arduous process. A mediator is typically introduced when movement slows between the two sides and this is where we find ourselves now. The introduction of a mediator is a very standard bargaining practice. A mediator has no authority to compel proposals for either side but can sometimes be helpful in the process of negotiations. As we continue into this new phase of negotiations, we appreciate everyone’s continued support and we will do our best to keep members and the community informed.
