FAM just marathoned through back-to-back bargaining sessions, and this is a special joint bargaining update for both. We are working extra hard to win a great first contract!
At FAM-T bargaining on August 7, we passed across some hefty counter-proposals, including Benefits, Grievance & Arbitration, and Discipline & Discharge. Our Benefits proposal protects and strengthens member’s health insurance benefits, retirement, and professional development funds, among other benefits—and requires management to negotiate with FAM over any proposed changes. Grievance & Arbitration and Discipline & Discharge are key job security provisions that protect our members’ rights and hold management to just cause standards.
For their part, management countered on Appointment, Renewal, and Promotion of TCPL Faculty and Appointment and Promotion of Tenure-Track and Tenured Faculty.
At FAM-L bargaining on August 8, we passed across a hefty Benefits counter as well as one on Appointment Notices. The Benefits counter dramatically compromises with management, but is firm on three priorities:
- keeping benefits and costs predictable for the length of the contract,
- giving the union a voice in the benefits process, and
- ensuring librarians have enough funding to support the scholarship and service required to maintain their positions.
Management countered on Discipline and Discharge and Professional Improvement Leaves. FAM won probationary librarians the ability to take a professional improvement leave before they obtain continuing contract – which will allow them to take time dedicated to improving their work (and strengthen their dossier).
FAM-L has been making significant strides to move this contract forward; unfortunately, management came back with three counters that made zero movement at all — they simply gave us what they had already given us previously. We reminded them at the table that we expect movement on their side, and that we are prepared to take action if they don’t.
To end today’s session, we served management’s unchanged counters right back to them, with minimal changes, AND rejected No Strike, No Lockout. We are standing firm: we won’t be moving closer to compromise unless we see movement on their end.
We invite you to read all FAM-T proposals and all FAM-L proposals in full at our website!
Upset about Management’s lackadaisical attitude towards making progress? Come out to FAM-T Bargaining on August 14 (location TBA)! And join our Book Club after bargaining — we’ll be discussing Chapter 1 of Jane McAlevey’s Rules to Win By. Check out all of our upcoming Hot FAM Summer events! ☀️🔥
Leave a Reply