ITEM 106-104-R0300

TO: Board of Regents

FROM: Sue Hill, Director

Labor Relations and Personnel

RE: Approval of Tentative Agreement with International Union of Operating Engineers #400

DATE: March 23-24, 2000

Attached is a summary of the tentative agreement with the International Union of Operating Engineers #400 (IUOE). The IUOE represents 31 employees at Montana State University-Bozeman, Montana Tech of The UM, The University of Montana-Missoula and Western Montana College of The UM.

Most of the contract language changes are minor. A new provision was added which established a 30 day trial period for employees who change jobs. During the trial period the employee may be returned to their former position and salary at either the employer's or the employee's request.

The tentative agreement incorporates the statutory increase in longevity pay and reflects the increase in the employer contribution to health insurance. The salary increases for employees in this bargaining unit are consistent with the increases negotiated with other classified and craft bargaining agents. Effective October 1, 1999 wages increase by 3 percent plus 20 cents and effective October 1, 2000 they will increase again by 3 percent plus 25 cents.

The bargaining unit has already ratified the tentative agreement and it is recommended that the Regents approve the tentative agreement with the IUOE at the March meeting.

xc: President Dennison

President Roark

Chancellor Gilmore

Chancellor Hulbert

Commissioner Crofts

Tentative Agreement

between

Montana University System

and

International Union of Operating Engineers #400

The following agreements constitute the tentative agreement on all outstanding issues between the parties for an agreement from July 1, 1999 to June 30, 2001. Any issues not addressed below shall be dropped and revert to prior contract language. This tentative agreement has a "do pass" recommendation from both parties and is subject to a ratification vote by each party's membership or controlling board.

Modify 1997-1999 agreement as follows:

1. Preamble

Delete "Local 375."

2. Article I, Sections A and B

Change as follows:

Section A. Contract Term

"This contract shall be in full force and effect from the date of July 1, 1999, to and including June 30, 2001, and shall be considered as renewed from year to year thereafter unless either party to this agreement notifies the other party, in writing, in accordance with the following negotiations schedule, of its desire to modify or terminate this contract."

Section B. Negotiations Schedule

"Either party desiring to modify or terminate the agreement must notify the other in writing by March 30, 2001. Pre-budget negotiations may commence upon mutual agreement."

3. Article IX, Section D. Job Change Encouraged Without Penalty

Add the following new language: "There shall typically be a thirty (30) calendar day trial period after an employee voluntarily changes from one position covered by this agreement to another position covered by this agreement. During the trial period the employee may be returned to the former position and salary at either the employer's or the employee's request. If an employee will not be allowed the option to return to the former position, the employee must be notified in writing prior to leaving the former position. The employee's seniority shall not be modified as a result of the trial period. An employee who returns to a former position during the trial period does not obtain the right to bump an employee to avoid layoff by virtue of having served in another classification for thirty (30) or less days."

4. Article XI, Section A.1.c.

Article XI, Section A.2.e.

Article XI, Section A.2.g.

Change "half-hour" to "quarter-hour."

5. Article XI, Section G.1. Insurance Coverage

Change the first sentence to read as follows: "The employer contribution to health insurance for eligible employees shall be $285.00 per month for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2000, and $295.00 per month for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2001."

6. Article XV, Section D.1. Longevity Pay

Add the following new sentence: "Effective October 1, 1999, the longevity increment for fifteen (15) and twenty (20) years of service shall be 2 percent."

7. Article XV, Section F Mandatory Deductions

Delete the sentence that reads: "Credit union deductions shall not be made for employees at MSU."

8. Addendum A - Heading

Delete "Local 375."

9. Addendum A.I. Scope of Work

Change the last sentence in Subsection A and the last sentence in Subsection B to read as follows: "Maintenance Supervisor IV's shall not replace a stationary engineer on shift except in an emergency when a stationary engineer is not available."

10. Addendum A.IV. Wages

Change as follows:
 

10/1/1999

10/1/2000
Repair Maintenance Technician

15.36

16.07
Maintenance Worker II (Preventive Maint. Technician - MSU only)

14.03

14.70
Stationary Engineer II

14.54

15.23
Stationary Engineer III

!5.20

15.91
Stationary Engineer-Maintenance

14.87

15.57
Stationary Engineer-Maintenance II

15.53

16.25
Maintenance Supervisor II

15.85

16.58
Maintenance Supervisor III

15.90

16.63
Maintenance Supervisor IV

16.56

17.31

11. Addendum A.V. License Agreement

Change to read: "Maintenance supervisors shall be required to have the same license as required of employees under their supervision."

12. Addenda B. and C.

Delete.

Rename Addendum D. to Addendum B.