The session began with the University’s Bargaining Team presenting their proposal on a package of Article X: Appointment, Reappointment and Promotion, Article XI: Hours of Work and Commitment, and the Side Letter. This package includes items like, but not limited to–

• Multi-year contracts for the professorial track
• Departments being required to define full-time work so that extra work = extra pay

We came into the session hopeful. After many hypothetical conversations with their bargaining team, it seemed we were close to settling at least two articles, and possibly as many as five today. We thought NTFC and the University’s Bargaining Team left last week on the same page.

However, despite all we have given up in order to settle these articles, the administration’s proposals did not provide solutions for our members. For example, they have rejected multi-year contracts outright. They also continue to provide language that allows departments to avoid defining full-time work, which means departments can demand additional work from members without paying them for it.

We continue to remind them that NTFC exists to to protect all members, across all departments, and that working conditions are a big part of what we are here to protect.

Next week, come hear for yourself if they’ve listened. Because at next week’s session, everything is on the table, including Wages.

Contact our Lead Negotiator, Kay Emmert ake153[@]hotmail.com to let her know you will be there or with any bargaining questions you have.

Next Session:
Friday, May 10th
9:00am – 12:00pm (you can arrive and leave at-will)
Illinois Fire Service Institute (Digital signs within the building will alert you to the room.)

The session began with the Administration’s Bargaining Team presenting their counter on Article IV: Benefits and Leaves. We then broke for caucus.  

The sticking point in this article remains –
Granting library access to retired NTTs

Right now, the Administration’s team is proposing that retired NTT’s access the library through a process that would be tied to a specific project, require department and upper administration approval, and need to be renewed each year.

We are asking that they create a retired NTT designation so that more and continuing labor is not required from our members, individual departments, or the administration.

We’ll find out next session which solution they support.

In fact, next week is a  BIG one.

There is a strong possibility that tentative agreements could be reached on articles that would decide the following and more for our next contract:

• Extra pay for extra work
• Salary raises for promotion
• Retirement access to the library

This time of year is packed, but we need people in the room.

When their side sees members in the room, they know our membership supports our stances, which helps them move closer to an agreement that most benefits us.

Contact our Lead Negotiator, Kay Emmert, ake153[@]hotmail.com to let her know you will be there or with any bargaining questions you have.

Next Session:
Friday, May 3rd
9:00am – 12:00pm (you can arrive and leave at-will)
Place is currently TBA, but we will let our members know as soon as we do

The session began with us presenting our counter on Article IV: Union Membership and Union Activity. The Administration’s Bargaining Team then presented their counter on Article IX: Benefits and Leaves.

A great amount of progress was made towards settling both of these articles. We are optimistic that an agreement could be reached by next Friday.

As a reminder, one of the things we are fighting for in Article IX is retirement access to the library system. A moment of note from today’s session was when member Dorothee Schneider, who is retiring this year, was able to better clarify the process by which retirees could access library resources.

This proved a concrete example of how important it is for members to attend bargaining sessions. Dorothee understands this concern because she is experiencing this concern.

There might well be parts of this contract you experience and understand better than anyone else. Be there to make sure your concerns are clear and accurate to all.

Next session, we could begin bargaining Article X: Appointment, Reappointment and Promotion. In this article we are fighting for things like-

• Guaranteed salary increases for promoted members
• Extra pay for extra work demanded of members

Is your required workload ambiguous or ever-changing? Have you been asked to perform extra duties without compensation?

Attend the next session and tell us about it. And, if you can’t make it in person, be sure to contact our Lead Negotiator, Kay Emmert, ake153[@]hotmail.com with your story.

Next Session:
Friday, April 26th
9:00am – 12:00pm (you can arrive and leave at-will)
Illinois Fire Service Institute (Digital signs within the building will alert you to the room.)

We began the session by submitting our counter on Article IV: Union Membership and Activity and Article IX: Benefits and Leaves. We answered any initial questions the Administration’s Bargaining Team had, then broke into our respective caucuses so they could form their counter.

When we reconvened, they let us know they needed more time to arrive at a counter for Article IX, but they did present their counter to Article IV: Union Membership and Activity.

We are encouraged by their counter, as they did make clear movement. There are a few places where more work is needed, but it seems like we are close to settling this article.

Next session, we will hear their counter to Article IX: Benefits and Leaves. In Article IX, we are fighting for things like:

• Library access for retirees
• Timely notice when health insurance ends
• Relief from the tripling of health insurance premiums for members whose appointments drop below 100%

If these are issues you care about, contact our Lead Negotiator, Kay Emmert, ake153[@]hotmail.com.

And remember, all members are invited to see bargaining first-hand, hear the administration’s stance, and make sure we’re representing your interests.  

Next Session:

Friday, April 19th

9:00am – 12:00pm

Illinois Fire Service Institute (Digital signs within the building will alert you to the room.)