In this issue:
- Save the Date: A Conversation with Rosa DeLauro, September 10, 2020, 4:00 PM
- Furlough Days Discussion
- UConn-AAUP President Address Higher Education Committee
- UConn COVID 19 Dashboard
- Merit Grievances
- Membership Meeting
Save the Date: September 10, 2020, 4:00 PM, Rosa DeLauro hosts a Zoom call
In 1990, Rosa DeLauro was elected to the House of Representatives and she has served the State of Connecticut and UConn since then. Last year, as senior members of the House Appropriations Committee she shepherded over $19 million in federal funds to the University of Connecticut. This year, Rosa has an opportunity to rise to the level of Chair of Appropriations, a move that would benefit not only the state, but the University of Connecticut immensely. Please see the latest article on Rosa: https://ctmirror.org/2020/08/20/delauro-in-hot-race-but-its-not-for-re-election/.
Representative DeLauro is hosting a Zoom call for members of the UConn community in order to provide information on how to access federal research funds. Please join us in showing your support for her potential move to the Chair’s position and learn a little about federal research funds.
Furlough Days Discussion
Over the last month, there have been overtures from the administration that UConn-AAUP is still considering giving furlough days to mitigate the university’s operating budget due to COVID 19. In weekly meetings with the Provost and Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Office, it was made clear that no furlough days from faculty would be even considered to help reduce the operating budget deficit until all other sources of funds, including those identified by the Fiscal Work Group or state and federal funds allocated for COVID relief were expended. Once again, any change to our compensation structure, including furlough days, would have to be negotiated by UConn-AAUP, any such agreement would have to be ratified by UConn-AAUP members before it could go into effect.
UConn-AAUP President Addresses Higher Education Committee
Mary Ellen Junda spoke before the CT Higher Education & Employment Advancement Committee on the College and University Re-opening Listening Session last Thursday, August 13, 2020. The link to her written testimony can be found here and the video of her presentation can be found here at the 39.50 minute.
UConn COVID 19 Dashboard
The UConn administration has created a dashboard for easy access and transparency of information pertaining to the spread of the virus in the UConn community. A link to the page can be found here.
Merit Grievances
Article 25.6 of the collective bargaining agreement allows for the hearing of merit grievances by a panel of three. This grievance panel was negotiated into the contract to provide an appeal process for bargaining unit members who feel their merit award does not meet their achievements as defined by the criteria approved by their department faculty. Appeal to the grievance panel must be filed within 14 calendar days of the Provost letter informing you of your merit. Please read Article 25 Merit of the collective bargaining agreement.
Membership Meeting – September 4, 2020 – 12:15 pm – 2:15 pm
As per the UConn-AAUP ByLaws, a membership meeting must be convened to review the proposals that the bargaining team will submit for negotiations. During the Spring 2020 semester, the Contract Committee established subcommittees to review the contract and propose improvements to submit for negotiations. A report was developed by the committee and will be presented at the September 4, 2020 meeting. Negotiations for the expiring successor agreement will begin on September 15, 2020. Please look for more information on this meeting in the coming weeks.
| Thank you.
Mary Ellen Junda, President Jeffrey Ogbar, Executive Vice President Michael Bailey, Executive Director |