Contract Update: Rutgers Offers Underwhelming Economic Counter
On Wednesday, November 19th, we had our fifth session with management. After giving a counter to their initial economic proposal, management came back with a revised offer: they moved a whopping 0.1% to 1.1% for an annual across the board increase, with no step movements in any of the years.
We countered by moving down another half percent on our across the board demands – so the ball is now again in their court.
In addition to the wages, we also agreed on a few TA’s: changing the name from UMDNJ to Rutgers; Alternate Work Schedule for Continuing Ed; Pre-Termination Rights; and eliminating the interruption of dues deduction when members switch from one title or status to another.
In addition, there was a mutual agreement to drop some proposals on both sides, including Rutgers demand to reduce our vacation accruals – so that is now of the table. We have plenty of work to do, but two additional dates are still scheduled: December 4th and December 17th.
Where things stand:
| Employer’s Proposal: | Union Proposals: | |
| 2014 | 10/1 – 1.1% across the board | 7/1 – 3.5% across the board + step*; bonus for top step |
| 2015 | 10/1 – 1.1% across the board | 7/1 – 3.0% across the board + step*; bonus for top step |
| 2016 | 10/1 – 1.1% across the board | 7/1 – 3.0% across the board + step*; bonus for top step |
| 2017 | 10/1 – 1.1% across the board | 7/1 – 3.0% Across the board + step*; bonus for top step |
| Expiration date of 9/30/2018 | Expiration date of 9/30/17 | |
| No Tuition Remission | Tuition remission for employees and dependents | |
| *step movements range from 1.6% to 2.3% |