Information Update - August 30, 2005

The parties have reached substantive agreement on additional sections of the contract with Crookston faculty including: totality of agreement, conformity to law and severability, duration of agreement, no strike, no lockout, non-discrimination, nepotism and sexual harassment.

The management team proposed to start a discussion regarding student evaluation of teaching and personnel files. When the teams met in the afternoon the union negotiation team agreed to a discussion of student evaluation of teaching and a robust and candid discussion ensued. While no specific proposals were exchanged, the framework of discussion lead to a clearer understanding of both parties’ perspectives.

Agreement was reached to meet again on August 31st. At the request of the union negotiation team, we will begin a discussion of a review of tenured faculty performance at that meeting. The management team wishes to continue bargaining with the UEA and hopes to reach agreement on a new contract for the Crookston faculty. As stated to the union negotiation team, we are willing and prepared to schedule additional dates to continue negotiations.

The UEA has delivered what it identified as a grievance under the Duluth UEA contract, alleging that the current contract between the University and the Duluth faculty now automatically applies to the Crookston faculty, and the University has failed to appropriately compensate Crookston faculty members as required by that contract. The University disagrees, and regards compensation of Crookston faculty as a term and condition of employment that the parties are obligated to negotiate in arriving at a contract for the Crookston faculty. As stated previously, the management negotiation team believes both parties are obligated to meet and negotiate the terms and conditions of employment for the Crookston faculty, and that neither party can refuse to negotiate proposals on terms and conditions of employment that the other party brings forward.

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