Labor Relations Update: Tentative Contract Agreement Reached with the Provost and Undergraduate Enrollment Division Staff Unit and Results of Recent Election

Dear AU Community,

We are pleased to announce that we have reached a tentative agreement on a new contract for the Provost and Undergraduate Enrollment division staff unit represented by SEIU Local 500. The agreement is the result of several months of productive, good faith bargaining between the university and the union. To support effective negotiations, we began bargaining early, developed thorough proposals, and sought to respond quickly to union proposals. We appreciate the ongoing engagement with our colleagues in the bargaining unit and SEIU Local 500 and the dedicated effort of all that led to this mutually beneficial agreement. Our thanks to the negotiating teams who worked diligently to make this agreement possible.

The tentative agreement includes provisions on wages, benefits, leave, and other terms of employment. The university and the union will finalize the updated contract language and the agreement will then be submitted for ratification according to the union’s process. Further details about the agreement will be available as these steps move forward.

Additionally, the ballots were counted last week to determine whether non-supervisory staff below the level of Associate Director within Student Affairs, OIT, and University Communications and Marketing will join the Provost and Undergraduate Enrollment bargaining unit. The results of the election are that eligible staff in these three units will now be represented by SEIU Local 500 and covered by the collective bargaining agreement. The university respects the rights of our staff to choose to have union representation. Staff and managers in Student Affairs, OIT, and University Communications and Marketing will receive additional information about implementation of the collective bargaining agreement.  

Onward.

Vicky Wilkins
Acting Provost and Chief Academic Officer

Bronté Burleigh-Jones
CFO, Vice President, and Treasurer

Matt Bennett
Vice President and Chief Communications Officer

Steve Munson
Vice President and Chief Information Officer

Raymond Ou
Vice President of Student Affairs

Evelyn Thimba
Vice President of Undergraduate Enrollment Management