TO: Board of Regents

FROM:  Sue Hill, Director,  Labor Relations and Personnel

RE:  Approval of Tentative Agreement with Print, Publishing and Media Sector of the Communications Workers of America, Local 14740, and Graphic Communication International Union, Local 242-C

DATE:   January 17-18, 2001

Attached is a summary of the tentative agreement reached with Print, Publishing and Media Sector of the Communications Workers of America, Local 14740, and Graphic Communication International Union, Local 242-C. The summary only includes those sections of the agreement that were modified during this round of negotiations. The entire collective bargaining agreement is available on line at: https://www.mus.edu/hr/cba/collbarg.html. This contract covers approximately 18 employees at The University of Montana-Missoula Print Shop.

The tentative agreement provides for a wage increase of 4% effective November 1, 2001. On November 1, 2002 employees who meet the goals set forth in their Team Growth Plan are eligible for .5% Team Growth Pay. Effective November 1, 2003 all employees will receive a 3.75% salary increase. On June 1, 2003 employees who meet the goals set forth in their Team Growth Plan are eligible for .5% Team Growth Pay. In addition, on January 1, 2002 employees will be eligible for other forms of pay increases such as Lump Sum Awards, Strategic Pay and Progression Pay. Insurance increases are in accordance with state law.

All of the language changes were initiated by the employer. Most are not very substantive. A new provision was added to heighten employees' awareness of the state's ethics statutes. The grievance procedure was modified to clarify how grievances are initiated and to add a new step in the grievance procedure which requires the Commissioner of Higher Education to respond to all grievances before the union may initiate arbitration. A two-year limit was placed on employees' right to recall after a layoff. The length of time that a warning letter must be retained in an employee's personnel file was changed from six months to one year. Removal of warning letter after one year is at the discretion of the employer.

Both bargaining units will have voted to ratify the tentative agreement prior to the Regent meeting or this item will be withdrawn. I recommend approval of this tentative agreement.

 

xc: President Dennison