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10/15/2008 The Coalition of University Employees has again agreed to extend the labor agreement. It will remain in full force and effect until October 30, 2008. After that, the bargaining team will consider whether or not to extend again. UPTE (the Union of Professional and Technical Employees) and AFSCME (the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees) are both currently working with their contracts in status quo. Local 10 CUE is again advocating that we go into status quo, in part because that would allow us to honor other union’s picket lines if and when they were to strike the University. As it stands now, nothing is changed. There are no tentative agreements to share with you, because none have been secured through bargaining.
On Tuesday, October 14, 2008, your union staff and President attended the brown-bag lunch to hear Chancellor Blumenthal speak. In his remarks, the Chancellor was firm and clear that beginning in July, 2009, University workers, including CUE, would be contributing to the retirement fund. It was a peculiar statement given that retirement contributions are negotiable and no such agreements have been reached at the bargaining table. Chancellor Blumenthal was also definite about not expecting to grant merit increases this year.
In other news, CUE will be participating in voter registration drives with other campus unions and the Student Union Assembly (SUA). The deadline to register to vote is October 20. If you have changed addresses since you last voted, you will need to reregister. The following are the voter registration drives happening on campus for this week: Wednesday Thursday Friday If none of these dates and times work for you, the McHenry Library has voter registration forms. Also, we have a few forms at the union office (501 Mission St. Suite #11.) Whether you vote by absentee ballot or in-person at the polls, don't forget to vote. Election Day is Tuesday, November 4. If you have questions, feel free to call us at 831-420-0258. |