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It's time for an update. A newsletter is being printed this week and barring complications will be distributed next week. It contains additional details on the status of the negotiations and the salary study project. Watch for it. Meanwhile, here is a preview of the contents of the newsletter.

The UMPSA Collective Bargaining Agreement expires at the end of this month (June 1997). We started negotiating a successor agreement last winter and have had a number of face to face sessions with the University negotiators since. We identified a number of issues that we wanted to address and the University did the same. We discussed many of these issues and proposed some potential solutions. We have tried to be creative and responsible, but the response from the University has been very disappointing. They have offered a salary increase which is less than that given to the Faculty, and have offered a limited dental plan if the entire cost comes out of our raises or our paychecks. They have also asked for reductions in previously negotiated notice requirements and severance pay for employees who are laid off.

Although the University reached a tentative agreement with the the Faculty (AFUM) in May and reached a tentative agreement with ACSUM a week ago, they seem to have no interest in reaching any agreement with UMPSA. Both AFUM and ACSUM agreements were settled despite very contentious issues on the table, and both agreements included very creative solutions to some of these issues. We have asked for similar consideration. We simply asked to be treated fairly and equitably. The University's response was to cancel previously scheduled meetings. The Association has continued to be frustrated by the University's apparent lack of interest in coming to a reasonable, fair and timely settlement.

Dispite early software problems and personnel changes, the salary study project is on track. Results are expected by the end of August. All questionnaire data has been entered, all benchmarks have been evaluated, and market data has been gathered and entered. Lots of information has been gathered and procedures have been designed to ensure accurate and consistent data entry and evaluation. The data will be sent to the consultants in two or three days for final benchmark validation and salary structure creation. The structure itself will be based on point values and estimated market value (EMV) of the benchmark jobs. See the salary study committee report on the web page (URL listed below) for details on the structure.

As soon as the current project is complete, we will be negotiating implementation of the system including a timetable for negotiating equity increases. These increases won't happen until after the system is in place, so don't expect these salary adjustments right away. A timetable for these increases will be posted as soon as it is negotiated.

Professional employees are urged to attend the UMS Board of Trustees meeting in Bangor on Monday, July 14th, (Bastille Day!) in a show of support for the negotiating team and to show the University that we want to be treated fairly. Members of the ACSUM and the Service and Maintenance units have offered to attend in solidarity with us. Thanks folks.

See the newsletter for more details. Contact Carol Giesecke at 581-3193 or carolg@umce.umext.maine.edu if you want to help organize this event.