Session #15: Money is on the table!
We had our 15th bargaining session on Thursday. Here is a short overview:
Over 35 observers joined Thursday’s bargaining session, demonstrating our union’s strength as we fight for a fair contract. Thank you for turning out!
We presented 8 economic proposals that together provide an ambitious yet fair vision for raising our overall standard of living while making Wellesley a more inclusive and competitive institution. It will take work for us to win meaningful improvements, but it is possible if we all stay informed and engaged.
Volunteer here if you can help talk to colleagues about winning a fair contract! You can also track our bargaining progress and economic articles here, or register to attend the next bargaining session on December 17 from 1–5pm here, and contact us with any questions or concerns at woaw.uaw@gmail.com.
The College went first and countered on Appointments and Reappointments. While we are moving closer on this article, a few significant sticking points remain. They rejected our certificate of continuous employment, reasserted the removal of the CFA from our review process, and reasserted a 3-3-5 reappointment sequence (we had proposed 3-5-continuous).
Our Economic Proposals
Compensation: We proposed a new minimum base salary of $105,700, overload/summer pay of $25,000, summer salary for curriculum development and research, and a 6% annual salary adjustment – grounded on benchmarks from 1) the American Association of University Professors Faculty Compensation Survey, 2) cost of living data for the Greater Boston Area from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and 3) National Science Foundation data on PhD-level salaries in industry.
Insurance Benefits: We memorialized the status quo for health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance, while proposing union involvement on a joint committee to investigate future benefits changes and a new short-term disability benefit.
Work Life Programs: We memorialized other benefits that we currently received, such as voluntary pet insurance, the legal benefit, and various health / financial planning services.
Dining: Wellesley would provide $180.00 in Flex Points to each BUE’s OneCard each semester, for the express purpose of increasing opportunities to get lunch and/or snacks with students.
Retirement: We memorialized our current retirement plan, which has the College give a 9% contribution plus a 3% match on 50%. We proposed that BUEs in their first year should also get retirement benefits, and that BUEs over 60 with 10+ years of service should get access to the same early retirement program that tenured faculty have.
Relocation Assistance: Similar to the existing policy for faculty, Wellesley would provide $4,000 lump-sum to new BUEs for moving expenses.
Tax Assistance: Wellesley would provide access to an electable CPA benefit to assist with tax preparation, and provide free tax software to international employees.
As always, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with any questions or thoughts!
Your Bargaining Committee,
Christa Skow
Mike Mavros
Katie Hall
Deb Bauer
Erin Battat