EDITORIAL: A break (hopefully) for UNI faculty members [Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, Iowa]
By Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, Iowa | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
We think, and hope, they got one recently -- albeit without a lot of ballyhoo.
The faculty has had a rough three years.
In 2010, a majority of the United Faculty union ratified a contract agreement that allowed for temporary salary cuts totaling
In 2011, a few months after Culver settled contracts with two larger unions with no negotiations just before leaving office, United Faculty and the
The award guaranteed United Faculty a 2.25 percent increase on
On insurance, all new faculty members were offered coverage through a new health maintenance organization or preferred provider organization. Current faculty kept the existing coverage, but were required to pay all costs over the cost of the PPO plan. The university also covered 80 percent of family policy costs for the PPO plan and contribute an equal amount to individuals opting for family coverage under the other plans.
In 2012, the university saw the elimination of some 60 academic programs, the closing of
Lately, there have been more positive developments. Faculty are, officially, cautiously optimistic about the appointment of
Another development occurred quietly, and possibly thankfully, to many.
United Faculty ratified a new two-year labor contract with the board of regents -- without going to arbitration. The regents finalized the agreement last week.
The contract includes a 2 percent raise for faculty in the first year and a 2.25 percent raise in the second year, with no changes in health insurance.
There's an old saying that the best agreement is one neither side is completely happy with. But we hope that a multiyear pay agreement with raises and no insurance changes will afford the faculty, the muscle and bone of UNI, some degree of stability and security -- and the university and the community as well.
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