10/5 Bargaining Meeting Update
CUGWU-Teamsters and Local 170 has an obligation to correct the misinformation that has been communicated to faculty by Provost Royo (who has not attended a single bargaining meeting). In his email, Provost Royo claimed that strikers are “illegally blocked access to University construction sites”. Blocking deliveries and work access and asking for solidarity from other unionized workers (for example, construction and delivery workers) is a part of striking and leveraging our power as workers. At no point in time did we illegally block the picket. The construction workers, upon learning of our union status (which Clark intentionally withheld from them) chose not to cross our picket and to join us instead. If the university does not wish to be disrupted, they know what they have to do.
During our bargaining meeting this morning, Clark provided an updated economic offer and clearly stated that there was more money on the table. Rest assured, we are going to fight like hell for every single dime left on the table. Clark’s offer leaves many gaps, including that the university’s offer would not go into effect until January 1st, 2023, delaying much-needed economic relief for our unit. In Clark’s proposal, another new department was introduced to us, requiring us to reconsider our economic offer. The university’s offer also provided no stipend increase for one of our departments, which the bargaining committee deemed completely unacceptable. We will not submit a contract to you that does not benefit us all.
After receiving our counter-offer (which included a retroactive stipend increase towards the beginning of the year), admin left the room and ended the meeting early without notifying us that the meeting was over. The bargaining committee waited in the room for two hours for the admin to return, only to find they had left for the day. Their actions today were unacceptable, disrespectful, and indicative that Clark is still not taking us seriously. The union has already offered to meet all day Thursday and Friday for another negotiation meeting and is waiting for university response.
Despite Clark’s conduct, we are making progress on a number of contract areas and need full force showing up over Fall Break. Sign-up for shifts here (for workers) and here (for allies).