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Collective Bargaining Update - Sept. 23

The fact-finding hearing took place today, starting about 10 a.m. and ending around 3 p.m. The Faculty and Administration teams presented their proposals for five areas of the contract: compensation, workload, health benefits, distance education, and tenure.

The fact-finder said his report will be delivered Tuesday, Oct. 14.

Until then, please continue to show your support for our efforts by wearing your AAUP shirt every Friday and by displaying an AAUP sticker or pin every day.

Additional information about the fact-finding hearing will be published in the next AAUP Newsletter.

All terms and conditions of the current contract remain in effect, including health insurance and workload. If you encounter any problems with health care providers or if you encounter any irregularities or concerns related to the terms of the contract, please inform a Chapter officer, or use the link exec@cinstateaaup.org to send a message.

With faculty unity and resolve, we will bring negotiations to a conclusion and establish a fair and appropriate new contract.

Collective Bargaining Update - Sept. 12

The bargaining session today lasted about three hours; however, most of the time was spent in caucuses with the mediator talking to the teams separately.

At the beginning of today's session, the Faculty Team presented a proposal designed to reach agreement on major non-economic issues prior to fact-finding. The Faculty proposal specifically addressed the majority of the administration's stated concerns when they rejected the Faculty's team's previous proposal, back on Aug. 29.

After a caucus, the administration team rejected the new Faculty proposal. With help from the mediator, the Faculty Team was able to identify additional administration concerns. Based on that information, the Faculty Team crafted a new, comprehensive proposal intended to settle the contract. The Faculty Team authorized the mediator to present the new settlement package to the administration.

The administration rejected this settlement proposal. Then, through the mediator, the administration team offered a response to the first Faculty proposal of the day. The administration's proposal addressed key administration concerns, but failed to address any of the most pressing faculty concerns-so the Faculty Team could not accept this proposal.

No additional bargaining sessions are scheduled. The Faculty Team will continue to prepare for fact-finding, which is scheduled for Sep. 23.

Please continue to show your support for our efforts by wearing your AAUP shirt every Friday and by displaying an AAUP sticker, pin, or temporary tattoo every day. And plan to attend the AAUP chapter meeting on Sep. 23, prior to the Board of Trustees meeting.

All terms and conditions of the current contract remain in effect, including health insurance and workload. If you encounter any problems with health care providers or if you encounter any irregularities or concerns related to the terms of the contract, please inform a Chapter officer, or use the link exec@cinstateaaup.org to send a message.

With faculty unity and resolve, we will bring negotiations to a close and establish a fair and appropriate new contract.

Collective Bargaining Update - Sept. 10

A bargaining session is scheduled for this Friday, Sep. 12, at 3:00 p.m. The Faculty Team invited the Administration Team to attend this session and the administration agreed. The mediator will also attend the meeting.

The AAUP Executive Committee has asked all Chapter members to show their support by wearing an AAUP shirt every Friday until a new contract has been resolved. Anyone who wants to show support can wear an AAUP sticker, pin, or temporary tattoo. Just ask a member of the Executive Committee if you need one of these items.

The fact-finding hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, Sep. 23.

All terms and conditions of the current contract remain in effect, including health insurance and workload. If you encounter any problems with health care providers or if you encounter any irregularities or concerns related to the terms of the contract, please inform a Chapter officer, or use the link on the chapter website, exec@cinstateaaup.org, to send a message.

With faculty unity and resolve, we will bring negotiations to a close and establish a fair and appropriate new contract.

Collective Bargaining Update - Aug. 29

The bargaining session today lasted about three hours, and the mediator was in attendance.

At the beginning of the session, the administration team responded to some of the non-economic issues in the settlement proposal that the Faculty team presented yesterday. Then, the administration team offered a new "one-time offer" settlement proposal. According to the Faculty team, this administration proposal did address a few issues of concern, but as a whole, the administration's proposal would still leave the majority of faculty working more and earning less in real dollars.

The Faculty team offered a substantial counter-proposal, intended to reach agreement on some items and reduce the number of issues that will need to be presented to the fact-finder. The administration team rejected this counter-proposal.

The Faculty team will continue to try to develop additional creative solutions to mutual problems, and hopes the administration team will do the same. However, at this time, no additional bargaining sessions are scheduled.

A fact-finding hearing is confirmed to take place on Sep. 23. The fact-finder's report probably would be issued within two to three weeks after the hearing. At the conclusion of the fact-finding process, the AAUP will have the right to conduct an authorized strike, if we are forced to take that step in order to gain a fair and reasonable agreement.

Meanwhile, all terms and conditions of the current contract will remain in effect, including health insurance and workload. If you encounter any problems with health care providers or if you encounter any irregularities or concerns related to the terms of the contract, please inform a Chapter officer, or use the link on the chapter website, exec@cinstateaaup.org, to send a message.

More information will be provided next week in the AAUP Newsletter, and a Chapter meeting will be scheduled for the second week of the term.

With faculty unity and resolve, we will bring negotiations to a close and establish a fair and appropriate new contract. Have a safe and happy Labor Day.

Collective Bargaining Update - Aug. 28

Today, the Faculty and administration bargaining teams met for about 2 hours. The mediator was not able to attend the session.

The Faculty team put a new settlement offer on the table. The new proposal built on the Faculty proposal that was offered on Aug. 12, and was never responded to by the administration. According to the Faculty team, the administration team said they were not authorized to accept this new proposal. The administration did not offer a counter-proposal.

At the request of the administration team, another bargaining session is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 29, at 9:30 a.m. According to the Faculty team, the administration team feels they might be helped by the presence of the mediator, who will be able to attend the session on Friday. The Faculty team is open to using every possible method for achieving a fair and reasonable agreement through collaboration with the administration team. However, the Faculty team is not hopeful that tomorrow's meeting will lead to a settlement.

A fact-finding hearing is confirmed to take place on Sep. 23. The fact-finder's report probably would be issued within two to three weeks after the hearing. At the conclusion of the fact-finding process, the AAUP will have the right to conduct an authorized strike, if we are forced to take that step in order to gain a fair and reasonable agreement.

Meanwhile, all terms and conditions of the current contract will remain in effect, including health insurance and workload. If you encounter any problems with health care providers or if you encounter any irregularities or concerns related to the terms of the contract, please inform a Chapter officer, or use the link on the chapter website, exec@cinstateaaup.org, to send a message.

With faculty unity and resolve, will we be able to bring negotiations to a close and establish a fair and appropriate new contract.

Collective Bargaining Update - Aug. 26

Today, over 90 Chapter members attended a chapter meeting and then attended the meeting of the College Board of Trustees.

At the Chapter meeting, Chief Negotiator Geoff Woolf explained that the strike notice for Sep. 2 has been with withdrawn on the advice of our chapter attorney. All terms and conditions of the current faculty contract will remain in place until all steps required under Ohio law have been completed and members have voted on a new contract.

We are continuing to try to schedule a fact-finding hearing. At this time, it appears that the earliest a hearing could take place is Sep. 23. The fact-finder's report probably would be issued within three weeks after the hearing. At the conclusion of the fact-finding process, the AAUP will regain the right to conduct an authorized strike, if we are forced to take that step in order to gain a fair and reasonable agreement.

Meanwhile, the mediator has asked the faculty and administration teams to return to the bargaining table on Thursday, Aug. 28, at 2 p.m. We are still hopeful that an agreement can be achieved through bargaining between the teams, and we hope the administration team will make a good-faith proposal on Thursday that would allow us to work toward a contract settlement without the need for any kind of disruption, at any time in the future.

If you have questions or concerns send a message to the Chapter Executive Committee at exec@cinstateaaup.org.

With faculty unity and resolve, will we be able to bring negotiation to a close and establish a fair and appropriate new contract.

Collective Bargaining Update - Aug. 25th

Last Friday, August 22, AAUP Chapter members were told that a strike notice had been filed. The notice said that a strike would begin Sep. 2 unless a new contract agreement was in place.

The AAUP Executive Committee also explained on Friday that the administration claimed a strike on Sep. 2 would be illegal. We told the Chapter members we were seeking additional information from our chapter attorney.

Today, our attorney advised us that because of technicalities in the collective bargaining law, we should withdraw our strike notice-- and we are taking those steps. Therefore, a strike will NOT begin on Sep. 2.

Our attorney also has advised us that the current contract will remain in effect until the process is completed and we have a new contract agreement that all members have voted on.

We are making every effort to schedule a fact-finding hearing as soon as possible. At the conclusion of the fact-finding process, we will regain the right to conduct an authorized strike, if we are forced to take that step in order to gain a fair and reasonable agreement.

We are still hopeful that an agreement can be achieved soon, through bargaining between the faculty and administration teams, and without the need for any kind of disruption, at any time in the future.

We hope all Chapter members will attend the meeting Tuesday, Aug. 26, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. in the Point Room on the first floor of the ATLC. We will update the Chapter members on the latest developments, and discuss the process and timetable for the days and weeks ahead. Food will be provided at the meeting.

It is more important than ever to demonstrate to the Board of Trustees our faculty unity and resolve to gain a contract that is fair for all, and to complete that process as soon as possible. So, please wear your grey AAUP shirt, and please plan to stay for the Board of Trustees meeting that begins at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Main Bldg. Conference Center.

Anyone with questions or concerns should send a message to exec@cinstateaaup.org.

President Paul Davis' email message to Chapter Members - 8/25

Collective Bargaining Update - Friday, Aug. 22

Today, over 90 members of the AAUP Chapter attended a meeting where Chapter President Paul Davis, Chief Negotiator Geoff Woolf, and other members of the Chapter leadership team reported on the status of negotiations.

Yesterday, the Chapter filed a Strike Notice with the State Employment Relations Board. The notice says that if a contract agreement is not resolved by September 2, the faculty will strike. We don't want a strike; we want to return to the bargaining table. However, the administration team walked out on bargaining on Aug. 12 and has not expressed any interest since then in returning to the table. We believe the administration's intention is to drag out processes as long as possible, and then let a fact-finder decide what should be decided by those who have the greatest stake in this College: faculty and administration.

A fact finder acceptable to both sides was selected on Aug. 15 and his name was submitted to the SERB; however, no hearing has been scheduled.

The AAUP leadership is aware that the administration is claiming a strike on Sept. 2 would be "unauthorized." We're in continuous communication with our attorney, who has assured us it is legal to file the strike notice.

The AAUP will NOT ask faculty to participate in an unauthorized strike. However, we ask members of the bargaining unit to continue preparing for the possibility of a strike. (See the Faculty FAQ page for more information.)

Students with questions should go to the Student FAQ page. Anyone with questions or concerns should send a message to exec@cinstateaaup.org.

The AAUP has scheduled a Chapter meeting (with pizza) for 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 26, in the ATLC Point Room. We hope all members will stay to attend the College Board of Trustees meeting at 5:30, in the Conference Center.

Collective Bargaining Update - Wednesday, August 13

Today, nearly 100 members of the AAUP Chapter voted unanimously to authorize the Chapter Executive Committee to file a strike notice, if it becomes necessary. Although no bargaining sessions are currently scheduled, we hope that negotiations can continue and a strike can be avoided. However, Cincinnati State faculty members are prepared to take all steps needed to ensure that a fair contract agreement is achieved.

We are now seeking volunteers to serve on the AAUP Action Committee. Faculty members who want to sign up, or who have questions, should call Action Committee Chair Dave Simmermon at extension 1797, or call Chapter President Paul Davis at extension 1642.

The fact-finder has not yet been appointed. Faculty will be notified when we have more information about the fact-finding schedule.

News Release - August 13, 2008

Collective Bargaining Update - Tuesday, August 12

Today the Faculty and administration teams met for about an hour. The Faculty team made another attempt to find a way to reach a settlement without the need for fact-finding. The Faculty team also asked for the mediator's assistance in reaching a satisfactory settlement.

The administration team rejected the settlement offer out of hand, with no response. The administration's so called Òbest offerÓ continues to require almost all faculty to do the same amount of work, or possibly more, for less compensation in real dollars, and less compensation than other unionized employees at Cincinnati State.

The Faculty team will provide additional information at the Chapter meeting tomorrow, August 13, at 2 p.m., in Lindner Auditorium. We hope all Chapter members will attend this very important meeting.

Collective Bargaining Update - Wednesday, August 6

Today's bargaining session lasted 30 minutes. The administration team provided what they said was a comprehensive settlement package intended to bring bargaining to a conclusion without the need for fact-finding.

According to the Faculty team, the administration's so-called settlement package is an insult. Under the administration's proposal, almost all faculty members would continue to do the same amount of work, or possibly more work, for less compensation in real dollars.

The State Employment Relations Board has been asked to provide a list of potential fact-finders and the process of selecting a fact-finder will continue.

However, the teams have agreed to schedule another bargaining session for Tuesday, August 12. The mediator, who was not present today, is expected to attend the session on August 12.

The AAUP has scheduled a Chapter meeting for Wednesday, August 13, at 2 p.m., in Lindner Auditorium. At this meeting, the Faculty team will provide an update on the status of negotiations. If a strike authorization is needed, the vote will be taken at this meeting.

Collective Bargaining Update - Monday, August 4

Today's bargaining session lasted about three hours. According to the Faculty team, the administration team responded today to some faculty proposals, but these responses did not provide satisfactory progress in addressing key faculty concerns.

Today the Faculty team offered a comprehensive settlement proposal that is intended to resolve contract negotiations, and avoid the expense and the institutional stresses that could result from fact-finding. The administration team has agreed to review this settlement proposal and respond to it when the teams meet again on Wednesday, August 6.

Tomorrow, the State Employment Relations Board will be asked to provide a list of potential fact-finders, in case this step becomes unavoidable.

Collective Bargaining Update - Wednesday, July 30

Today's bargaining session lasted about an hour and a half. According to the Faculty team, some progress was made on some non-economic issues. However, major contract articles including workload, compensation, and benefits remain unresolved.

Another bargaining session is scheduled for Monday, August 4. During the next few days, the Faculty team will be working to prepare a comprehensive settlement proposal that would make it possible reach an Agreement without the need for the time consuming, expensive, and contentious process of fact finding. The Faculty team is hopeful that the administration's team will also be working on a settlement proposal to bring to Monday's session.

If an Agreement cannot be reached on Monday, it's very likely that the State Employment Relations Board will be asked to begin the process of appointing a fact-finder.

The AAUP has scheduled a Chapter meeting for Wednesday, August 13, at 2 p.m. If a strike authorization is needed, the vote will be taken at this meeting.

Collective Bargaining Update - Monday, July 28

Today's bargaining session lasted about 2 hours. There was some discussion of contract articles dealing with Governance and Selection and Appointment, but the Faculty team continues to be frustrated by the lack of progress. According to the Faculty team, on some issues it feels like the administration team is simply playing negotiation games rather than collaborating to solve real problems.

Another bargaining session with the mediator in attendance is scheduled for Wednesday, July 30. The Faculty team hopes that at Wednesday's session, the administration team will bring new proposals that address faculty concerns on issues including workload, compensation, and benefits.

If progress is evident, the Faculty team is willing to schedule additional meetings this week. Otherwise, another bargaining session with the mediator present is scheduled for Monday, August 4. At this time the Faculty team expects to determine if it is possible to reach a settlement without fact-finding, or whether it will be necessary to ask the State Employment Relations Board to begin the process of appointing a fact-finder.

The AAUP has scheduled a Chapter meeting for Wednesday, August 13, at 2 p.m. If a strike authorization is needed, the vote will be taken at this meeting.

Collective Bargaining Update - Friday, July 25

Today's bargaining session lasted about 5 hours. Much of the time was spent with both teams explaining to the mediator, Earl Leonhardt, their positions on the unresolved contract issues, including workload, compensation and benefits, distance education, and tenure, as well as a number of other contract provisions.

According to the faculty team, today's lengthy session brought no evidence of changes in administration positions. The faculty team continues to be frustrated and disappointed at the administration's apparent unwillingness to participate in meaningful discussions of any issue that has a cost attached.

At this point, the faculty team believes that the administration is once again depending on the contentious legal process of fact finding as the best way to resolve problems of concern to both faculty and administration.

Additional bargaining sessions have been scheduled for Monday, July 28, and Wednesday, July 30. The mediator is expected to attend both sessions.

The faculty team remains hopeful that all contract issues can be resolved at the table, but the team is also prepared for the possibility that fact finding will be necessary.

The AAUP has tentatively scheduled another Chapter meeting for Wednesday, August 13, at 2 p.m. If a strike authorization is needed, the vote will be taken at this meeting.

Collective Bargaining Update - Tuesday, July 22

In today's short bargaining session, the administration team responded to the Faculty team's proposal for changes to the contract language regarding the selection and hiring of faculty and academic administrators. The Faculty proposal, which was presented in a bargaining session a few weeks ago, included some changes that would streamline the hiring process and eliminate some past problems.

According to the Faculty team, the administration's response today accepted some editorial changes proposed by the faculty, but for the most part did not address the faculty recommendations for substantive process improvements.

The members of the Faculty Team continue to feel extremely frustrated and disappointed at the administration's apparent unwillingness to address faculty concerns in many key areas of the contract.

The next bargaining session is scheduled for Friday, July 25. A state-appointed mediator is expected to be in attendance at the session.

We hope all AAUP Chapter Members will attend the meeting on Wednesday, July 23, at 2 p.m., in Conference Center Room 344. The members of the Faculty Bargaining Team will be providing a detailed update on the status of negotiations.

Collective Bargaining Update - Monday, July 14

Today's short bargaining session dealt with the topic of workload. After the session, the members of the Faculty Team said they are extremely disappointed by the information and the attitudes expressed by the administration team.

At the bargaining sessions last week, the Faculty team explained the reasons that faculty seek adjustments in the workload article of the contract--especially to gain relief for those faculty members whose workload concerns were not fully addressed in bargaining three years ago. The Faculty team also told the administration last week that we are willing to work with them to try to meet their needs, especially the administration's need for additional flexibility in assigning workload.

After today's session, Faculty team members said they have been given the impression that the administration is unwilling to address any faculty needs for workload adjustments. According to the Faculty team, the administration team said today they have no evidence that faculty members are overworked.

The administration's proposals would require almost all faculty to do even more work, for the same or less compensation than faculty receive now.

Additional information about today's bargaining session will be in the next edition of the AAUP Newsletter, which will be available later this week.

The next bargaining session is scheduled for Tuesday, July 22.

An AAUP Chapter meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, July 23, at 2 p.m., in Conference Center Room 344. We hope all chapter members will attend this very important meeting, where the Faculty Bargaining Team will provide an update on the status of negotiations.

Collective Bargaining Update - Friday, July 11

Today's bargaining session lasted 4 hours. The teams achieved some tentative agreements on some small issues; however, faculty and administration continue to be far apart on the major issues, including compensation and workload.

According to the Faculty Team, a significant portion of today's bargaining session involved explaining the reasons that faculty seek adjustments in the workload article of the contract. The faculty team described in detail the challenges that make it increasingly difficult for faculty members to provide excellent service to our students.

According to the Faculty Team, the administration has not yet acknowledged that our workload concerns are warranted. Instead, the administration's proposals ask faculty to do even more work, for the same or less compensation than faculty receive now.

The teams have agreed to seek assistance from a state-appointed mediator, and the mediator is tentatively scheduled to attend the bargaining session on July 25.

The next bargaining session is scheduled for Monday, July 14, at 1:30 p.m.

An AAUP Chapter meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, July 23, at 2 p.m., in Conference Center Room 342. We hope all chapter members will be able to attend this important meeting.

Collective Bargaining Update - Wednesday, July 9

Today, the Faculty and Administration Teams met for an hour and a half. According to the Faculty Team, some progress was made on some of the smaller topics, but faculty and administration remain far apart on matters including workload, distance education, and the entire compensation package.

Both teams have reviewed their calendars for the rest of July, and have identified at least two possible times each week when bargaining sessions could take place. The faculty team is hopeful that faculty and administration will be able to use these sessions to work productively in order to reach an agreement.

The next bargaining session is scheduled for this Friday, July 11, starting at 9 a.m.

An AAUP Chapter meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, July 23, at 2 p.m., in Conference Center Room 342. We hope all chapter members will be able to attend.

Collective Bargaining Update - Thursday, July 3

Today, the Faculty and Administration Teams met for 3 hours. The teams exchanged their proposals for all articles of the contract, and explained and clarified their proposals.

According to the Faculty Team, the faculty and administration are very far apart on many issues, including workload, tenure, distance education, and the entire compensation package.

The next bargaining session is scheduled for Wednesday, July 9. The Faculty Team expects the next session to include substantive discussion of some areas where faculty and administration proposals have significant differences.

The AAUP has scheduled a chapter meeting for Wednesday, July 23, at 2 p.m. The location will be announced soon.

AAUP Negotiations Update - June 12, 2008

The Faculty Bargaining Team is profoundly disappointed because the Administration team brought to the table today a proposal that could eventually eliminate tenure. According to the Faculty team, the administration's proposal is essentially the same as the proposal that was rejected by the Faculty in bargaining three years ago.

Under the administration's proposal, all new full-time faculty positions created during the life of the next contract would be non-tenure track positions. Those hired in these positions could be terminated at the end of each year.

In addition, the administration's proposal states that any tenure-track faculty member who is denied tenure could be re-hired in a non-tenure-track position.

According to the Faculty team, the only rationale the administration provided for their proposal was the desire for more flexibility.

Other items discussed at the June 12 bargaining session included some minor changes to contract language about professional enrichment, and some small editorial suggestions that were offered by the Faculty team.

The negotiation teams are expected to meet again after Summer Term starts, but no specific dates have been set.

The Cincinnati State AAUP will provide updated information about bargaining after Summer Term begins.