Isaac Jimenez, URA Secretary and Bargaining Team Member
Our bargaining team met with management for the tenth time Wednesday, July 8 at Knightsbridge in Piscataway, where we were accused of “editorializing” when we expressed frustration with the broken UHR processes. Rather than recognizing that there are systemic problems, they simply dismissed our concerns.
This week we transmitted our major economic proposal (raises) and several other items:
Article 41 – Salary Improvements: We proposed across the board salary improvements for the next four years of our successor contract as well as a retention salary boost for members at each five year intervals between 5 and 25 years of service.
Article 1 – Recognition: We countered this article with language that includes Class 4 casual and seasonal employees and are holding steady on our inclusion of work from employees with additional assignments.
Article 15 – Health Benefits: We initiated a proposal for Rutgers to fund a $1,000 Health Reimbursement Account for members and dependents to offset rising costs of medical, dental, vision care and prescription expenses, such as copays and out-of-pocket expenses.
Article 14 – Grievance Procedure: We proposed two new sections of this article, one detailing procedure for Title IX cases, and the other, on the union’s right to information.
Article 19 – Just Cause/Discipline: We amended this article to include a guide for progressive discipline, coaching and training as well as Title IX provisions.
Article 33 – Probationary Employees: We rejected management’s package of proposals, including this article, but countered with language similar to management’s last counter with gains like employee-supervisor meetings before extension of probation.
