UIC Campus
Chicago, Illinois
January 21, 2010
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Local 73-UIC bargaining confrontational:
What planet do they spend their time on?
Update on Clerical and Administrative Negotiations
(August 31, 2009)
Negotiations began July 21st for our contract, which expired August 27th.
We have met with management six times in the past month.
Our committee was selected by a membership vote in July. The contract is being negotiated by Local 73 Vice President Phil Martini, assisted by Field Representative Willie English.
We also did a survey of members to decide our priorities in negotiations. While wages are still important, the key issue in most people's minds is job security.
At the commencement of negotiations, we agreed to continue to abide by the terms of the contract while negotiations proceed. Among other things, this means that Step Increases will continue to be awarded on anniversary dates.
Beyond this, however, we have to tell you that bargaining has been confrontational since the beginning.
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Erosion of Unionized Civil Service: Main Threat to Job Security
(August 31, 2009)
A recent report by the State University Civil Service System found that UIC has abused their power to convert Civil Service jobs to Academic Professional status.
--- In 2001 there were 1855 Academic Professionals at UIC.
--- In 2008 there were 3200 Academic Professionals here -- a difference of 1344.
--- In that same time frame, approximately 600 civil service jobs were lost.
This is a major threat to the job security of Local 73's members at UIC.
In our last contract fight, we pressed very hard to get language to stop the erosion of our jobs.
While we ended up with a contract victory, we didn't win the language we were after to prevent management from replacing us with Academic Professionals.
So again this time it has to be one of our priority proposals.
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Parking: Bad News and Good News
(August 31, 2009)
As you are no doubt aware, UIC is going up on parking again. As a result of the Labor Board decision won by Local 73 in 2007, they have to negotiate with us on the amount of our increase.
But in our bargaining sessions this last month, management has tried to force the parking increase down our throats. Again the University has increased parking without negotiating with SEIU.
The good news: we finally are able to announce the parking disbursement for Local 73 members from the Unfair Labor Practice suit we won in 2008.
VP Martini reports that 400 to 500 checks will be mailed this week with the remainder being completed by 9-15-09.
Remember that only those who had a parking contract for the 06-07 or 07-08 years are eligible to receive part of this.
The amount you receive is a percentage based on what you paid for parking and what we received in the settlement awarded by the Labor Board.
Over 1300 union members will receive a check. Most are in the $85 range, some as low as $57.
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Sirlena Perry Retires
(August 31, 2009)
Finally, we say good bye to Sirlena Perry, assistant chief steward, Executive Board member, and a member of the bargaining committee for almost every contract for 20 years.
Enjoy your retirement, Sister Perry -- but be ready to come back to picket when we call!
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