News Update - October 9, 2006

Over the summer months, representatives from University administration and University Education Association met several times and we have provided updates of the language items discussed. Now that classes are session, it is more challenging for both parties to schedule time to come together on the Crookston campus to resume negotiations.

To keep the process moving, both parties have agreed to meet using ITV. These meetings have focused on specific issues that each side identified beforehand by exchanging e-mail proposals. While these sessions are shorter in duration than our normal on-campus meetings, we have been able to address topics such as leaves of absence, work rules, nepotism and harassment language just to name a few.

In addition to the ITV sessions, we have also scheduled face-to-face meetings on the Crookston campus starting on October 20 and 21. There are two additional on-campus sessions scheduled for November 10th and 11th and December 1st and 2nd. These sessions will begin on Friday afternoon and go into the evening. We also plan to negotiate most of the day on Saturday.

We remain pleased with the progress so far. There still remain tough issues ahead to negotiate such as workload, pay and the promotion and tenure process. We’ll keep you updated as negotiations continue this fall.

The University of Minnesota , Crookston (UMC) is one of four campuses in the University of Minnesota land grant system.  UMC is a coordinate campus that provides a unique approach through applied and polytechnic baccalaureate education, research, and service.

UMC is an equal opportunity educator and employer