May 23-24, 2002

TO: Board of Regents

FROM: Sue Hill, Director,  Labor Relations and Personnel

RE: Approval of Tentative Agreement with International Union of Operating Engineers, Local #400, Colleges of Technology Bargaining Unit

DATE: May 23-24, 2002

Attached is a summary of the tentative agreement reached with the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local #400, Colleges of Technology Bargaining Unit. The summary only includes those sections of the agreement that were modified during this round of negotiations. The entire collective bargaining agreement is available to review online at: https://mus.edu/hr/cba/collbarg.html. This bargaining unit includes approximately 32 maintenance and custodial employees employed at the colleges of technology.

The major focus of these negotiations was wages. Despite protracted negotiations over the matter, the union resisted participation in the Montana University System Achievement Project (MAP). Ultimately we agreed to allow this bargaining unit to continue to operate under the state classification system. Wages shall be increased by 4 percent retroactive to November 1, 2001, and by an additional 4 percent effective November 1, 2002. The increases in insurance contributions are consistent with state law. The remaining language changes are not substantive.

The bargaining unit will have ratified the tentative agreement prior to May 23, 2002, or the item will be withdrawn. I recommend approval of this tentative agreement.