On March 18 and 19, our K8 Skilled Trades Bargaining Team returned to the table well-prepared to discuss our demands for fair wages and benefits. Management was absent and completely unprepared on the first day, despite previously receiving nearly a dozen seemingly simple proposals from our team.
On the second day, management delivered two lengthy presentations filled with distortions and misstatements of obvious facts. For example, management claims that student enrollment remains flat even though two large dormitories are under construction, ready to come online in the next few years.
The greatest insult came with their proposals on healthcare and raises. Despite the overwhelming economic facts presented and documented by our research analyst, management proposed unlimited increases to healthcare premiums and a degrading 2% annual increase for the next five years, which wouldn’t even keep up with inflation.
We made incremental progress, reaching agreement on two articles. With less than two weeks to go before our contract expires, we still have nearly half of the contract on which to come to agreement.
The teams meet again on April 9 and 10.
Upcoming Rally!
Our Bargaining Team has scheduled a rally to show our solidarity in achieving fair raises and solid benefits for our hard work. Mark you calendars!
Tuesday, March 31
Northside of De La Guerra Dining Commons / Parking Lot 2
Starting at 12:00 PM
“We asked for a raise, they talked about layoffs.”
Jim Gallaher
Skilled Trades Bargaining Team Member
Locksmith, Housing
