TO: Board of Regents

FROM: Sue Hill, Director, Labor Relations and Personnel

RE: Approval of Tentative Agreement with International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers

DATE: January 17-18, 2002

Attached is a summary of the tentative agreement with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. This contract covers approximately 11 employees at The University of Montana-Missoula, Montana State University-Bozeman and Montana State University-Billings. 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. 

The tentative agreement provides for a wage increase of 4 percent effective November 1, 2001, and a 4% increase on November 1, 2002. The differential for foremen wages was increased from $1.00 to $1.10. The increase in the employers contribution to health insurance is in accordance with state law.

Most of the language changes were not substantive. The probationary period language was modified to clarify that time served in a temporary position does not count toward meeting the probationary period. A new section was added to heighten employees' awareness of the conflict of interest restrictions included in state law. A deadline was included for advancing grievances to arbitration. The language governing duration of warning letters was modified to require the first warning letter an employee receives to be removed from the employee's personnel file after one year instead of six months. Subsequent warning letters may remain in the file indefinitely. A memorandum of understanding regarding scope of work that had been previously agreed to was made an official part of the collective bargaining agreement.

The tentative agreement has been ratified by the bargaining unit. I recommend approval of this tentative agreement.

 

xc: President Dennison
President Gamble
Chancellor Sexton