CUE Local 10 is sending you this bargaining update because in our opinion, the Statewide Bargaining Committee has gone far too long (since July 2008) without giving you a status report.

Here’s what we know as of today:

After almost 10 months of negotiations and nearly $500,000 of your dues money spent on bargaining, there are now five signed tentative agreements (not final until a ratification vote by the membership).

Article 12 – Labor/Management Committee Meeting: new language will allow that one meeting per year be flexible in subject matter and not tied to anything specific.

Article 38 – Training and Development: increases from 24 to 40 the number of hours available per year.

Article 41 – Uniforms: language that permits the establishment of individual campus labor/management committees to further discuss uniforms.

In addition, CUE agreed to participate in the Staywell Health Program and the START voluntary hours reduction program.

Currently being discussed are Performance Evaluations, Benefits, and Respectful/Fair Treatment.

For your information, Local 10 has written and submitted new layoff language to be considered for bargaining to replace the current contract language which is weak and doesn’t offer significant worker protections in the event of a layoff.

If you would like a copy of the proposed new layoff language, contact Nora at the union office. It’s only a proposal, but when you read the new language you’ll find it’s significantly stronger than what is in the contract now. Your bargaining representative and local President Kimberly Rutherford would appreciate your support for getting the Statewide Bargaining Committee to propose the new language. Contact her at beachglass4me at yahoo dot com.

If you have concerns or questions about the pace of bargaining, the costs or the lack of meaningful proposals, contact the Chief Negotiator for the statewide bargaining team. Her name is Amatullah Alaji-Sabrie at umtauheed84 at yahoo dot com.

Bargaining generally happens two times each month. This month's sessions are March 2,3,4,16,17,18.

Raise your voice! Make your concerns known! Unionism is not a spectator sport!!!

AT SOME POINT, NEGOTIATIONS WILL CONCLUDE AND THE BARGAINING COMMITTEE WILL DISTRIBUTE THE TENTATIVE AGREEMENTS REACHED. WORKERS WILL BE ASKED TO VOTE ON (ratify) THE CONTRACT.

YOU MUST BE A UNION MEMBER TO VOTE ON THE CONTRACT. IF YOU THINK YOUR STATUS IS IN QUESTION, CALL THE UNION OFFICE. WE CAN HELP YOU WITH BECOMING A MEMBER. IT’S FAST AND EASY.