2008 Woodie Awards
Clerical workers reach contract agreement
Allan Lewis
Issue date: 10/16/07 Section: News
Negotiations are coming to an end for more than 300 clerical workers at SIUE after nearly seven months of working without a contact.
A tentative agreement was made between the union and the university Oct. 4, and the new deal was ratified in a closed-door meeting Wednesday.
The contract, according to American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees representative Barbara Brumfield, entails a 10 percent wage increase over the next three years.
"The process now is just to get everything revised in the contract," Brumfield said.
Recently, the union turned down a 3 percent raise while holding out for a minimum 50 cent an hour wage increase.
An informational picket was also held outside the Morris University Center last month.
Under the previous contract that expired in May, the lowest paid member of the staff was making $9.56 an hour.
The new three-year deal was voted on and approved 3-1 Wednesday by more than 100 members of the staff.
"It was a good vote," Secretary of Computer Sciences Gay Cummins said. "Everyone is glad it is resolved."
Under the new deal, the secretarial line at the East St. Louis campus will receive the same raise as those working in Edwardsville.
"We are just happy the contract situation has concluded," Brumfield said.
While the university is unable to comment on specifics of contract negotiations ongoing or resolved, Bethany Forsythe, assistant to the director of Marketing and Communication, said. "We are happy the situation is resolved."
"It would have helped if we had more resources," Brumfield said. "We did not receive a lot of what we wanted due to cuts within the budget, but we did get a contract approved."
Cummins said she is thankful for the support the university community has shown during recent weeks.
"We appreciate all the help and support we have received on campus."
A tentative agreement was made between the union and the university Oct. 4, and the new deal was ratified in a closed-door meeting Wednesday.
The contract, according to American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees representative Barbara Brumfield, entails a 10 percent wage increase over the next three years.
"The process now is just to get everything revised in the contract," Brumfield said.
Recently, the union turned down a 3 percent raise while holding out for a minimum 50 cent an hour wage increase.
An informational picket was also held outside the Morris University Center last month.
Under the previous contract that expired in May, the lowest paid member of the staff was making $9.56 an hour.
The new three-year deal was voted on and approved 3-1 Wednesday by more than 100 members of the staff.
"It was a good vote," Secretary of Computer Sciences Gay Cummins said. "Everyone is glad it is resolved."
Under the new deal, the secretarial line at the East St. Louis campus will receive the same raise as those working in Edwardsville.
"We are just happy the contract situation has concluded," Brumfield said.
While the university is unable to comment on specifics of contract negotiations ongoing or resolved, Bethany Forsythe, assistant to the director of Marketing and Communication, said. "We are happy the situation is resolved."
"It would have helped if we had more resources," Brumfield said. "We did not receive a lot of what we wanted due to cuts within the budget, but we did get a contract approved."
Cummins said she is thankful for the support the university community has shown during recent weeks.
"We appreciate all the help and support we have received on campus."
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
WhatNoEquity
posted 10/16/07 @ 10:37 AM CST
I do not see any reference to negotiations for equity across the various job classes within the union. The 50 cent increase is good for those at the bottom of the pay scale, but what percentage does that equate to for those at higher levels? What about adjustments for the recent minimum wage increase?
And why did this take 7 months?
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