contract

Below is a summary of our second TA/GA contract (2006-2009). You may also view the FULL TEXT of the agreement or download a PDF version of the final contract. You can also download a PDF of the previous contract.

ECONOMIC:

• A 3% raise to the minimum stipend in 2006-07, retroactive, and a 3.3% raise to the minimum stipend in both the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 academic years. By the contract’s end, the minimum stipend will have risen from $12,220 to $13,430. This insures that the greatest increase goes to those members who are most in need.


• A 3.0% raise for continuing assistants working above the minimum stipend during both the 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 academic years, and a 2.75% increase for the 2008-2009 academic year.


• Increase in the subsidy of the Student Health Insurance Fee (the greater of 50% or $130 subsidy per semester for 2007-2008, and $140 or 50% for 2008-2009).


• Continued full waiver of the McKinley Health Center Fee (currently set at $196/semester and $98 over summer).

NON-ECONOMIC:

• Language that provides for an oversight committee on the SPEAK’s test-taking conditions.


• Improvements in job posting and access to job opportunities.


• Guaranteed professional, written evaluations upon request.


• Added gender identity and protected veteran status added to nondiscrimination clause.

Other Key Protections Maintained from the Last Contract

HEALTHCARE:

• A guarantee to re-negotiate the insurance subsidy if insurance costs rise more than 15% in an academic year. Also, the Administration must meet with the GEO at least once per year to take our input regarding improvements to the health care plan. This fight is still ongoing!

JOB SECURITY, RIGHTS, and PROTECTIONS:

• Many university policies are enforceable through a strong Grievance Procedure that is efficient, protects grads from retribution, and ends in third-party binding arbitration.


• Procedures now preserve collegiality through proactive methods of resolving disputes over workloads, pay, and performance.


• TA's and GA's have the right to union representation at disciplinary hearings.


• A non-discrimination clause that includes sexual orientation. Domestic partner benefits secured throughout the contract.


• Protections for international grads: procedures will be put in place to help graduate employees who experience paperwork delays. Also, if a grad fails the SPEAK test, the University will provide English language proficiency training at no cost, and the contract encourages departments that have the resources to give non-teaching jobs.


• Job security - the department is encouraged to give significant advance notice of appointment or re-appointment. Furthermore, if a course is cut due to lack of enrollment or any other reason, you are guaranteed funding.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT and MENTORSHIP:

• Training: delineates responsibility for training TA's and GA's. Follows a mentorship model of on-going support and training. This includes observation of teaching and established paths of communication to bring up concerns or problems.


• Workload: codified standards for overwork and established a procedure for resolving workload disputes that utilizes mentorship model.

OTHER

• Expenses: university will pay for any expenses incurred on the job.


• Employee Files: ensured employee access to files, right to comment on anything included in the file, ensured that records of grievances not be kept in the employment file.

Questions? Call the GEO office at (217) 344-8283 or speak with your departmental steward.